4/15/2009 1:32:22 PM
Reading, Pa. (April 15, 2009) – The men’s and women’s cross country teams attended the weekly after-school program at St. Peter’s Church on Wednesday afternoon. St. Peter’s is in Reading, and many of the children who attend are also members of the South Reading Youth Initiative, who are involved in many events on the Alvernia University campus with various Crusader athletic teams.
The kids at St. Peter’s after-school program are accustomed to having visitors; the men’s basketball team was there in February, and a number of other groups from Alvernia attend from the Alvernia Education Department.
When the cross country teams walked into St. Peter’s, the kids were excited, as they always are when visitors arrive. The Crusaders jumped right in to help the kids with whatever homework they were working on. Bridget Burger, a junior on the women’s team, was happy to be there. “It’s nice to be able to come here and give back to the community. These kids look up to college athletes, so we need to set a positive example. It is definitely a good feeling to do things like this.”
Some members of the team helped kids with homework, quizzed them for upcoming tests, or just talked with them. The volume and enthusiasm in the room was raised a notch after the athletes had arrived. Dave Muncer, a member of the men’s team, commented “You really get a sense of self-satisfaction from doing something like this. I tried to talk to them about their futures and inspire them to want to go to college. I also think it is important for kids to be involved in athletics and other activities, so that they don’t just sit in and play computer and video games.”
After homework was completed, it was time to work on Earth Day posters. Since Earth Day is coming up in just one week, the AU student-athletes helped the SRYI create unique posters in honor of Earth Day. Conversations could be heard about recycling, pollution and global warming. Bright green and blue colored posters were designed by each child with the help of their AU counterparts. Assistant cross country coach, Megan Adukaitis, said of the experience, “This was so much fun – the kids were great! It was very appropriate that we were able to help them with Earth Day things.”
Few kids had time to play board games before it was time to leave, because they were so intent on working on their Earth Day posters; some even made two!
The Earth Day posters will be brought to Alvernia and hung up for all to enjoy. Judges will pick a winner who will receive a small prize.