OSHAWA, Ont. - Durham College student-athletes continue their commitment to the local community through involvement and fundraising events. The Durham College athletic department encourages community initiatives, providing a great experience for the athletes by lending a helping hand to the neighbourhood in which they live.
Fundraising Events
Teams are constantly participating in fundraising events to raise donations for local charities. This season the Durham women's softball team stepped up to the plate and gave back to multiple causes through their 50/50 draw each game. Those groups included the Canadian Cancer Society - Durham Region, ALS Society (in support of past Humber Hawks coach Bobby Acton), and Maria Iurato, cousin of Lords catcher Justine Pike, to help her receive treatment for her condition in the U.S.
The softball team also prepared 24 survival bags for the Whitby Salvation Army Food Bank and 50 personal bags and a basket of product to Denise House in Oshawa.
Men's baseball fundraised for Play Global! throughout their season. Play Global!, which was formed in 2012, teaches baseball to coaches and youth in developing countries and areas of conflict. They use baseball as a way to help kids see past their differences, respect others and play as a team. The Lords not only raised a monetary donation for the charity, but collected equipment to send to Uganda. Their OCAA rivals, Humber Hawks, joined them to help support Play Global!, by also donating equipment.
The women's volleyball team made raising funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) - Ontario Chapter a priority this season. Heading into the break the team was approaching $500 raised and will continue with raffles and other initiatives in the new year. This wasn't just about raising funds though as they are hoping to raise awareness, which they are doing by providing information booklets from the CBCF at home games and by wearing pink warm-up shirts all season. At Christmas time they also collected toys to donate to the YWCA Durham's annual toy collection for the Christmas shopping day for the women of the YWCA.
Community Events
The Lords are also attending a number of community events this season. This fall members of the Durham College men's volleyball team participated in the Terry Fox Run this fall in Oshawa.
Athletics was also involved with the 2015 Pan Am Games at multiple venues in various volunteer roles. Women's volleyball alumna, Alana McNeill, was part of the volleyball staff at Exhibition Centre, while Jenn Bowers was a line official at the beach volleyball venue. In Ajax, at baseball, the department was represented by four members.
Durham College athletics also continued their involvement with community events such as the 10th Annual Walk for Mental Health Awareness and Walk to End Alzheimer's.
Special Community Days
In November the Durham College athletic department welcoming the Adult Social Club from the Abilities Centre in Whitby to the volleyball doubleheader against the Algonquin Thunder. The volleyball and basketball teams have also welcomed numerous club teams throughout the season.
If you're interested in participating in any of these community initiatives, please contact the athletic department at (905) 721-2000 ext. 6285.
Source: Durham College
Photo Credit: Al Fournier