O Heroes Day of Service
University of Oregon student-athletes representing the men’s and women’s basketball, football, track and field, team stunts and gymnastics, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, and cheer teams volunteered throughout the campus and surrounding community the week of March 2-6.. This marked the second Day of Service initiated by the O Heroes program, a non-profit organization run by student-athletes at the University of Oregon.
In conjunction with the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day, several of the projects involved reading to children at local schools and child care centers. Other activities included playing at recess, writing motivational letters, and inviting kids to practice.
There were several highlights and stories to tell from the week for everyone involved-- coaches, student-athletes, children, parents, and members of the community. “It was awesome to get out in the community and enjoy some old fashion recess. The kids were great and were so excited, which made the experience even better,” Anna Poponyak , senior women’s lacrosse player, said.
Student-athletes from the sports of football, lacrosse, and volleyball visited Ridgeline Montessori School. The Lacrosse team immediately sparked popularity when they allowed the children to touch and hold their sticks. Football players, Edward Dickson, Walter Thurmond, Daniel Padilla, and Marvin Johnson, drew a huge crowd at recess when they ignited a game of basketball. Children swarmed the court to compete with and against the student-athletes. “I’ve never seen a basketball game this big before,” commented a teacher.
Eight members of the men’s track and field/cross country team visited O’Hara Catholic School. The student-athletes answered questions, signed autographs, and read an excerpt from a book titled Bowerman and the Men of Oregon. Similar projects took place at Spring Creek Elementary where women’s soccer players each read two books to a group of students. Team stunts and gymnastics team members participated in Literacy Night at Harris Elementary School and football and lacrosse members visited Trent Elementary in Pleasant Hill during lunch time to read and play with children of all ages.
Moss Street Child Care Center attracted a number of student athletes representing lacrosse, football, cheer, and volleyball. The student-athletes not only read but participated in activities such as hula hoops and capture the flag. “It was great experience. The kids are always so happy to read and play with us. It reminded me that I am a role model in the community!” exclaimed a .volleyball player.
The men’s basketball team invited nearly 50 children from the Vivian Olum Child Development Center, a childcare facility primarily serving University of Oregon faculty and staff. The children were able to watch the last 45 minutes of practice and then received autographs from Coach Ernie Kent and the team. The players initiated a “Go Ducks!” cheer during a group photograph in the center of Mac Court. “That was great! The children were so excited when they got back, they couldn't stop talking about it,” said Carol Snead, Director of Vivian Olum Child Development Center.
The projects and activities continued as men’s and women’s tennis members teamed up after practice to write motivational letters to children in the community.
Women’s and men’s golf alongside women’s volleyball visited the Eugene Fairgrounds to assist with Project Homeless Connect, an event serving people without homes and people at risk of being homeless. A group of football players joined an after school program at Ridgeview Elementary to shoot hoops, throw football, and play soccer.
This event provided all student-athletes a unique opportunity to participate in the community. O Heroes hopes to plan a third day of service in May collaborating with the campus community for University Day.
About Read Across America:
Now in its 12th year, the Read Across America program focuses on motivating children to read, in addition to helping the kids to master basic skills. The nationwide reading celebration takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, community centers, and more participate by bringing together kids and books.
About O Heroes:
O Heroes is a non-profit community organization run by student-athletes at the University Of Oregon Department Of Intercollegiate Athletics. The goal of O Heroes is to create a single identity for all community service initiatives and to see involvement from all student-athletes, staff, faculty, and campus community. Service is one aspect of three areas in which student-athletes feel they are able to excel. The other areas are health and education.
In conjunction with the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day, several of the projects involved reading to children at local schools and child care centers. Other activities included playing at recess, writing motivational letters, and inviting kids to practice.
There were several highlights and stories to tell from the week for everyone involved-- coaches, student-athletes, children, parents, and members of the community. “It was awesome to get out in the community and enjoy some old fashion recess. The kids were great and were so excited, which made the experience even better,” Anna Poponyak , senior women’s lacrosse player, said.
Student-athletes from the sports of football, lacrosse, and volleyball visited Ridgeline Montessori School. The Lacrosse team immediately sparked popularity when they allowed the children to touch and hold their sticks. Football players, Edward Dickson, Walter Thurmond, Daniel Padilla, and Marvin Johnson, drew a huge crowd at recess when they ignited a game of basketball. Children swarmed the court to compete with and against the student-athletes. “I’ve never seen a basketball game this big before,” commented a teacher.
Eight members of the men’s track and field/cross country team visited O’Hara Catholic School. The student-athletes answered questions, signed autographs, and read an excerpt from a book titled Bowerman and the Men of Oregon. Similar projects took place at Spring Creek Elementary where women’s soccer players each read two books to a group of students. Team stunts and gymnastics team members participated in Literacy Night at Harris Elementary School and football and lacrosse members visited Trent Elementary in Pleasant Hill during lunch time to read and play with children of all ages.
Moss Street Child Care Center attracted a number of student athletes representing lacrosse, football, cheer, and volleyball. The student-athletes not only read but participated in activities such as hula hoops and capture the flag. “It was great experience. The kids are always so happy to read and play with us. It reminded me that I am a role model in the community!” exclaimed a .volleyball player.
The men’s basketball team invited nearly 50 children from the Vivian Olum Child Development Center, a childcare facility primarily serving University of Oregon faculty and staff. The children were able to watch the last 45 minutes of practice and then received autographs from Coach Ernie Kent and the team. The players initiated a “Go Ducks!” cheer during a group photograph in the center of Mac Court. “That was great! The children were so excited when they got back, they couldn't stop talking about it,” said Carol Snead, Director of Vivian Olum Child Development Center.
The projects and activities continued as men’s and women’s tennis members teamed up after practice to write motivational letters to children in the community.
Women’s and men’s golf alongside women’s volleyball visited the Eugene Fairgrounds to assist with Project Homeless Connect, an event serving people without homes and people at risk of being homeless. A group of football players joined an after school program at Ridgeview Elementary to shoot hoops, throw football, and play soccer.
This event provided all student-athletes a unique opportunity to participate in the community. O Heroes hopes to plan a third day of service in May collaborating with the campus community for University Day.
About Read Across America:
Now in its 12th year, the Read Across America program focuses on motivating children to read, in addition to helping the kids to master basic skills. The nationwide reading celebration takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, community centers, and more participate by bringing together kids and books.
About O Heroes:
O Heroes is a non-profit community organization run by student-athletes at the University Of Oregon Department Of Intercollegiate Athletics. The goal of O Heroes is to create a single identity for all community service initiatives and to see involvement from all student-athletes, staff, faculty, and campus community. Service is one aspect of three areas in which student-athletes feel they are able to excel. The other areas are health and education.
