LEAF RELIEF – “Leaf Belief Is To Give Relief”

Latest Project News – 12/8

While many college student are looking forward to the Christmas break as a time to catch up on sleep and visit with family and friends, the student-athletes of Goshen College have a much bigger goal, raising money to fund a Well and provide fresh water for an entire village in Africa.

Teaming with The Water Project, a non-profit organization committed to providing clean water to those who need it most, the Maple Leafs are hoping to raise enough money to buy a community its own well.

Through a fundraising opportunity with ESPN The Magazine, student-athletes are selling magazine subscriptions to raise money for this well.  With each subscription – $40 for two years of ESPN the Magazine – the Maple Leafs will get back $30 toward the project.  With a goal to raise $4500 to pay for the Well, that’s only 150 subscriptions.

For more information and to subscribe to ESPN The Magazine, click here.

About Leaf Relief

GOSHEN, Ind. – The nearly 300 Goshen College student-athletes, coaches and staff members, and volunteers have teamed together for a community service project that has been titled “Leaf Relief.”

Originally created by Maple Leaf Women’s Basketball Head Coach Steve Wiktorowski, the program is designed to unite the entire athletic department to lead an effort to serve others in the spirit of Goshen College and its core values, which include servant leadership. It will give student-athletes a chance to make a difference in tangible ways and “give back”
to the community.

The three main focuses of the project involve community service projects, raising awareness for worthy causes, and raising funds for humanitarian efforts.

While individual teams will do events specific to charities of their choice, each year the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) chose one local organization that will be the focus of department-wide fundraising. The SAAC – comprised of athletes from each of Goshen’s 14 sports – has identified LaCasa, Inc. as the project’s charity for 2008-09.

LaCasa, Inc., founded in 1970, provides housing and other human services for the benefit of Goshen’s low-to-moderate income households. Some of their programs’s include: training, counseling, and loans for first-time home buyers, community and neighborhood building and organization projects, immigration and language services, housing partnerships and developments. For more information on LaCasa, Inc. please click here.

Scroll down for some of the ongoing and past projects and check back often as the Goshen College Athletic Department gives back through “Leaf Relief.”

Maple Leaf Indoor Marathon (Feb. 21) Goshen head cross country coach Doug Yoder hosted an indoor marathon with proceeds going to LaCasa, Inc. The event featured 204 laps on the upstairs track in the Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center. Approximately $900 was raised through entry fees and donations. Yoder went the extra “mile” as he completed a full 50K, taking donations for each lap (38) above the marathon distance.
Shoes For Kenya (Ongoing) The men’s and women’s cross country teams are collecting used running shoes for children and young adults in Kenya. Inspired by head coach Doug Yoder and Kenyan natives Sam Chege and Ramadhan Onyango, the shoes will go to those in need in Kenya, who often run barefoot rather than spend money they on footwear. Chege says it is a simple choice, “Nobody is going to run hungry and buy shoes.” Collection bins are available in the Recreation-Fitness Center on campus. Photo courtesy Brandon Long, The Record.
Coaches Vs. Cancer (Jan. 31) Maple Leaf coaches Steve Wiktorowski and Gary Chupp are joining with coaches across the country in raising awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society. January 31st is Suit/ Sweater and Sneakers Day and coaches will don their typical formal dress on the sidelines, but will sport sneakers rather than dress shoes. Fans are encouraged to do the same as special programs across the country will be raising funds for the ACS. At Goshen College, all gate receipts from the game versus Bethel College will go to the charity.
Leaf Relief T-Shirts (Ongoing) Leaf Relief T-shirt – in Maple Leaf purple – are available at the Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center concession stand during athletic contests. They are also available by stopping by the Goshen College Athletic Department during normal business hours. The shirts have the Leaf Relief logo on the front and the motto “Leaf Belief Is To Give Relief” on the back. They are available for $10, with all proceeds going to Leaf Relief charities.
Toys For Tots (Dec. 6) Toys are on every child’s mind at this time of the year. The Goshen College Athletic Department thanks you for joining with us as we make the season a little more joyful for some children in need this Christmas season. The Maple Leafs hosted a Toys For Tots game as Goshen took on Bethel College on Saturday, December 6. Fans received free entry into the contest for bringing an unwrapped Christmas toy. The toys were donated to local charities and distributed to children who may not otherwise have had presents this Christmas.
Canned Food Drive (Nov. 25) Just in time for Thanksgiving, the Goshen College Athletic Department held a canned food drive as part of the men’s basketball game on Tuesday, November 25. Fans received free admission into the contest by providing at least one non-perishable food item. The non-perishable food items were distributed to a local food pantry in time for the holidays. Thank you for joining Maple Leaf Athletics in giving back to our community. More than 75 pounds of food was collected!
Family Fun Fest (Nov. 15) The Goshen College Athletic Department hosted its first annual Family Fun Fest on November 15. The free community event featured interactive games and events for children, including an inflatable bouncy house, a soccer shoot out to try and score on Maple Leaf players, a radar gun to test the speed of throws, and the K9 units from local Police Departments. While the event itself was free to the public, the concessions stand was open selling pizza, drinks, and snacks. All proceeds from the concessions stand and donations will go directly to “Leaf Relief” charities.
Volleyball “Pink Out” Night (Oct. 20) As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Mid-Central College Conference and the Goshen College volleyball program teamed up to raise awareness and funds for one of this country’s worst diseases. As the Leafs hosted rival Bethel College, both teams wore specially designed pink jerseys, while coaches, staff, and fans alike clad pink for the event. All gate proceeds and dollars raised from T-shirt sales went directly to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.