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Sports Connections: Commitment to Service Highlights Off-Season for Men’s Lacrosse

Sports Connections: Commitment to Service Highlights Off-Season for Men’s Lacrosse

Commitment to Service Highlights Off-Season for Men’s Lacrosse

Men's lacrosse took part in the Christus Lutheran Church paint project in Camden.Before dedicating a majority of their time to running across Victory Field  No. 1, members of the men's lacrosse team gave several hours of hard work to benefit the local community. From September to January, the Griffins embodied the college’s mission and embraced the true spirit of the "Dear Neighbor" by giving back to those who matter most to them. This included participating in Mission and Legacy Week, Lily's Loop Walk, Lax Stache Madness and Christus Lutheran Church paint project, to name a few.
 
Partnering with the Office of Campus Ministry, the season of service for the Griffins began during the annual Mission and Legacy Week, when the team set up temporary housing in North Philadelphia, removed waste and prepared bedrooms, bathrooms and living areas for potential families.

"This was a great project to start with," says Head Coach Mike Terranova. "It required a lot of teamwork and gave us the opportunity to work side-by-side with our partners and friends in Campus Ministry."  
 
The team continued to help those within their own neighborhood, joining many fellow Griffins in the Lily's Loop Walk. To this date, the non-profit organization has helped more than 850 families with unexpected and urgent needs due to premature birth. With Sister Marie Bambrick, the Griffins embarked on a purposeful journey, listened to powerful survival stories, collected donations and raised awareness for families with premature babies.
 
Next, the Griffins took on the month of November by teaming up with the HEADstrong Organization and other lacrosse teams from across the country in the fight against cancer. The Lacrosse Mustache Madness Campaign allows individuals and teams to raise money for a good cause by growing or drawing finger mustaches. Chestnut Hill College raised just shy of $1,800 to help HEADstrong establish Nick's House, a community home for those traveling to the Philadelphia area for treatment.

Men's lacrosse at Ray of Hope on MLK Day of Service.Amid their facial hair fun, junior midfielder Matt Anderson and sophomore goalkeeper Stephen Hogan Jr., accompanied college mascot, Big Griff, to the Elmwood Park Zoo for Bubby the Bison's birthday party. The players helped Swoop, of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Screwball, of the Reading Fightin' Phils, celebrate Bubby's birthday with all his closest friends.
 
In December, the Griffins crossed the Ben Franklin Bridge to visit Camden, NJ. There, they channeled their inner Michelangelo, painting the reception hall at Christus Lutheran Church. "We were covered in paint," says Terranova. "It was clear that this task would have taken weeks for a couple people. But our team worked feverishly and got the job done in one day!"

Lastly, and most recently, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the men's lacrosse team collaborated with Director of Diversity & Inclusion Juliana Mosley, Ph.D. to participate in the College's Day of Service. The Griffins traveled to North Philadelphia and joined Ray of Hope in providing outdoor cleanup for abandoned homes and neighborhoods. Besides the physical cleaning, the team gained insight on the importance of environmental justice and equality in their communities.

Overall, the Chestnut Hill College men's lacrosse team was enlightened last fall and realized the important role they play not only as student-athletes, but also as members of their surrounding communities. "The recent contributions we've made have had a significant impact on both the communities we worked with and our team," says Terranova. "The care and concern we demonstrated for our Dear Neighbors has instilled a sense of pride and comradery that we will carry into the upcoming season."

Adapted from GriffinAthletics

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Posted In: Athletics News