Over 270 ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ athletes participate in fourth annual holiday food drive
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MONTREAL - More than 270 student-athletes from ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ spent their last free day before focusing on December exams collecting non-perishable food donations for the Sun Youth Community Centre, Dec. 3.
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An annual initiative of the ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ Varsity Council, a group that represents all varsity athletes on campus, this year's event was organized by swim team captain Leanne Roach , a psychology senior from Riverview, N.B., who serves as the council's VP Community Outreach.
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It proved to be the Varsity Council's most successful food drive since it was initiated in 2008 as athletes from the University's 28 varsity teams went door-to-door and collected over seven large recycling bins full of canned and dry goods from the Montreal community surrounding the ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ Sports Centre, namely the student ghetto area and plateau region, bordered by University street, Pine Ave., St. Urbain, Duluth, Coloniale and Prince Arthur.
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"Being an athlete at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ is much more than just competing in a sport and this is one of the more commendable efforts that we can do," said Gideon Balloch, president of the men's rugby team and a fifth-year mechanical engineering senior from Beijing. "It's a great opportunity to get this message out and contribute to the Montreal community."
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Members of the ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ community can help by dropping off food and clothing items for the remainder of the week at the ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ Sports Centre, 475 Pine Avenue West. Collection bins are located outside the cafeteria and behind the security desk at the main entrance to the Currie gymnasium.
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The Sun Youth Organization has grown into a comprehensive community centre that not only promotes activities - it also provides resources in times of need. A number of ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ athletes serve as mentors or tutors for the children enrolled in Sun Youth's programs. They also volunteer their time to help sort donations and hand out items to the needy.
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SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
±«ÓãÖ±²¥ Athletics & Recreation
514-398-7012
m.athletics.mcgill.ca (mobile website)
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