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Toys for Tots

Gophers Out in the Community During Holiday Season

1/15/2020 11:44:00 AM | M.A.G.I.C.

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The holidays are always a time for giving and that definitely was the case for Gopher Athletics. From mid November through this semester break, our Golden Gopher student athletes and staff volunteered at over 25 community service events during that span.

It all started around Thanksgiving, when the Gopher Football held its annual Turkey Drive at TCF Bank Stadium. Gopher staffers and student-athletes from soccer, women's hockey and women's cross country/track and field also assisted with Thanksgiving meal preparation at Union Gospel Mission here in Minneapolis. Women's basketball team also took time out of their season and visited the Masonic Cancer Center.

It only picked up in the month of December. The Gophers gave a helping hand to many organizations including the Ronald McDonald House, Toys for Tots, Feed My Starving Children, Special Olympics and Adopt a Family Gift Packing. The Gopher softball team even spread some holiday cheer as the team made cookies with the help of Hopekids and Santa. They also participated in their annual Operation Christmas Child, where the team packs shoe box gift packages for children in need globally.   

Two groups utilized their time on campus as they made items to donate to local charities. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee gathered before the holiday break to work with HandsOn Twin Cities to create a special volunteer opportunity for student-athletes. Men's and women's cross country/track and field programs also made and donated blankets to Kids in Need and House of Charity. This provided extra warmth during the holiday season to those in need.

The Gophers even held outreach initiatives at the Outback Bowl in Tampa. The Gopher football team visited Tampa General Hospital, while Gopher staff members and families aided Feeding Tampa Bay prior to the Gophers' win over Auburn New Year's Day.

Even after the holidays, the outpouring community service efforts from our student-athletes has been tremendous. Men's and women's hockey each held Teddy Bear Tosses at two of their events and will deliver to Masonic Children's Hospital this month. Men's hockey also began their Skate the Cities events, as fans can participate in open skating with the team and autographs. Men's gymnastics also volunteered during this time at Hope Lodge where they played Bingo. 

In fact, seven Gopher programs volunteered with Feed My Starving Children, while one is scheduled to attend later this month: football, rowing, men's and women's gymnastics, men's and women's cross country and track and field and women's hockey have already packed over 120,000 meals for those in need, while men's golf will add to that total next week. 

As we wrap up this semester break, the outreach doesn't stop there. Some of our Gophers are already scheduled to visit Masonic Children's Hospital and attend or host various events in the upcoming semester. Tune into social media (@theGopherWay) to learn all about our outreach endeavors! 
 

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