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Student-athletes log 2,361 hours of community service to the Waterbury community

WATERBURY, CT – (January 9, 2020) – Post University student-athletes have a lot on their plates, but they believe in giving back and, even more importantly, they make the time to do it. In 2019, the Post Athletic teams completed 2,361 volunteer hours in the greater Waterbury community.

“Community service and engagement are essential building blocks to a robust student experience,” said Post University President and CEO John L. Hopkins. “As we begin our 130th year, we will continue to seek out volunteer and civic opportunities that strengthen our commitment to the Waterbury area.”

Civic engagement is an important part of Post University’s commitment to its surrounding community. Student-athletes volunteer as a vehicle for learning and exploration adjacent to their athletic and classroom activities. For 2019, Post University student-athletes reported serving 2,361 hours, doubling their community investment over fall 2018. The athletes supported 22 local organizations and ranked in the top 20 for volunteer hours as reported by Helper Helper, an online volunteer tracking tool used by Division II athletic programs.

Some of their efforts included:

  • The Post University Athletics Department had representation from every athletic team with a total of 183 athletes volunteer at the Litchfield Strides Walk, benefiting the American Cancer Society and worked with 167 athletes to write letters to Santa for Make-A-Wish children.
  • The men’s golf team, women’s golf team, women’s softball team, men’s lacrosse team, women’s lacrosse team, and men’s sprint football volunteered with Autism Speaks and their subgroup, the Social Chasers.
  • For a second year, the women’s basketball team volunteered at the Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut (BIAC) Walk for Thought.
  • The women’s lacrosse team volunteered with the Waterbury chapter of Girls, Inc., participated in the United Way of Greater Waterbury’s Bed Races, and volunteered at St. Vincent DePaul’s food kitchen.
  • The men’s ice hockey team partnered with Team IMPACT and Hidden Acres Farm, and coach youth teams in Hamden and Watertown.
  • The men’s basketball team volunteered at the Ta-Ta Trot to support Breast Cancer Awareness and read for children at St. Mary’s Hospital in the pediatrics unit.

 

As part of its volunteer efforts, Post Student Athletic Advisory Committee launched a new chapter of Hope Happens Here Foundation. Founded in 2015 through the Saint Michael’s College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Hope Happens Here is a “student-led movement that aims to promote mental health awareness and mental wellbeing on college campuses, in particular, student-athletes.”

Launched during the fall semester, the Post University Chapter is planning to raise awareness for mental health issues during a February men’s and women’s basketball game where the teams will highlight the resources on campus for the student-athletes at Post University. Each season, the chapter will continue to host various athletic games to raise awareness and highlight resources for mental health.

For more information on the charitable giving of Post University, please contact Joan Huwiler at [email protected].