'Cuse Cares Program Recognized Again
3/30/2009 9:40:46 AM | General
The athletics department 'Cuse Cares Community Outreach program earned the 2009 Chancellor's Awards for Public Engagement and Scholarship for its commitment to engagement with the community and Scholarship in Action. It is the 12th consecutive CAPES honor for the 'Cuse Cares program. In addition, student-athletes Chelsea Berry, Sarah Morton and Breanna Stiff earned CAPES recognition for academic service learning as part of their HTW 302: Influencing Healthy Behavior and HTW 307: Culturally Competent Healthcare classes in the College of Human Ecology.
Through the 'Cuse Cares Community Service Program, supported by Citizens Bank, SU student-athletes have participated in more than 700 hours of community service projects since the start of the 2008-09 academic year in a variety of activities that enriched the lives of many, including children, senior citizens, homeless, the disadvantaged and individuals with disabilities.
“Our student-athletes are consistently engaged in the community,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross. “This is another example of Scholarship in Action. We are proud that our student-athletes are recognized for this award, but are even more proud of the leadership displayed in the community.”
Throughout the year, Syracuse student-athletes have made a significant contribution to the community, emulating Scholarship in Action and touching the lives of many people. They have spent many hours helping to promote literacy by reading to children at local schools, serving food to the homeless, lending a helping hand to those in need at St. Lucy's Church, creating the Orange Miracle Food Drive to donate to those in need at local food bank, visiting senior citizens at nursing homes and hospitals, participating in environmental clean-up projects, collaborating with Park and Recreation Services to encourage equality and peace for all (Hoops for Peace) and putting together holiday baskets for those less fortunate. From nursing home and hospital visits to reading to children during story time and visiting on career day, the student-athletes make sure they have time to serve the community that supports them during competition.
SU student-athletes continue their quest in helping organizations in need to raise funds. Orange men and women raised money for the Vera House through gift wrapping, played in the annual Hoops for Hope fundraiser, participated in the Walk with the 'Cuse for the American Cancer Society, and walked in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk and the Crop Walk Canned Food Donation. The Student-Athletes Across Borders group (SAAB) hosted its second 'International Soiree' to bring cultural awareness and celebrate diversity in March.
The student-athletes also engage the community on the SU campus by hosting events. Each week in April, children from the Syracuse Parks and Recreation program will attend the 'Shooting for A's' program, an academic, athletic and inspirational program. Student-athletes are also planning a shoe and sneaker drive and have a number of visits scheduled for the year-long effort to promote literacy at area schools.
The 'Cuse Cares Community Outreach Program allows student-athlete to give and to receive, to put the bold ideas of Scholarship in Action in motion and to share what they've learned in athletics with aspiring athletes in the community through soccer camps, lacrosse clinics and more.
