One of the requirements for all of our youth members is to participate in community service projects at least once per year. Typically, this is done as a team and involves coaches, players, and parents. Some of the community service projects our players have participated in include:

 

 

• Adopting families for Christmas/Handing out Turkeys

  • Teams are paired with an underprivileged family from outside of the program and buy the family Christmas presents and delivery them to the family themselves. Players will also participate in annual turkey drives, partnering with local charities to hand out Thanksgiving dinners to families that cannot afford it.  This is an opportunity for the kids to be thankful for what they have and experience the joy that comes from giving to others.

• Cleaning National/State Parks and Local Schools

  • Teams have also volunteered to do cleanup at local public parks and schools. This includes Picking up trash, maintaining the grounds, and even planting trees. This helps teach them that public spaces are there for everyone’s enjoyment, but everyone has a responsibility to pitch in and keep these places clean and beautiful

•  Food Drives/Toy Drives

  • Throughout the year, teams will run food and toy drives. Teams will partner with an organization (such as St. Felix Pantry or Toys-for-Tots) and collect food and toys to be distributed to members of their community. Again, this helps put things in perspective and teaches gratitude and the importance of charity.

• Volunteering at Local Not-For-Profits

  • Some area not-for-profits need a helping hand and many teams are willing to jump in. They have helped sort food at local food pantries and assisted a local youth ranch with its annual pumpkin patch.

• Fundraisers for Fellow Families

  • Sometimes, families within the program fall on hard times and need assistance. When this happens, everyone chips in and helps. In the past, the program has raised funds for members that have had family members facing financial hardship due to medical costs.

 

 

   It is important for players to develop an appreciation for the things they have and to understand that they are part of a community. These projects help expand their worldview, introduce them to new experiences, and hopefully create a desire to volunteer and become active on their own accord.