More than 40 student-athletes, five sports, and several staff members took part in a major Purdue University Calumet Athletics volunteer effort with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago’s Move for the Kids 5K Walk/Run on May 17.
The event capped another fantastic year of community service for the Purdue University Calumet Athletic department, which saw its student-athletes earn over 1,000 hours of community service and participate in more than 20 different causes for the 2014-15 academic year.
For the Move for the Kids 5K, Peregrine student-athletes and staff from the women’s basketball, volleyball, women’s soccer and men’s and women’s cross country teams served as race volunteers for the event, which kicked off its 11th year in downtown Chicago. In 11 years, the race has drawn more than 20,000 participants and raised over $2.8 million to support the hospital’s areas of greatest needs, including a new state-of-the-art hospital, the recruitment of top doctors, research advances, and transitional care for patients.
“Being a part of the Move for the Kids 5K was an unforgettable experience for both our staff and student-athletes,” said Stephanie Beck, Purdue Calumet head men’s and women’s cross country coach and volunteer project organizer. “The student-athletes really enjoyed helping make such a great event run smoothly and as a staff, we were proud to help with a great cause – helping kids.”
This year’s race, held just outside the gates of Soldier Field, raised over $300,000 and featured nearly 3,000 participants.
Purdue Calumet volunteers took on duties such as assisting with registration, gear-check, photo station, Kohl’s Safety Corner, general setup, and served as course marshals.
“It was fun to help such a great cause and cheer on everyone as they finished, especially all of the young kids that were running,” junior cross country runner Justin Peterson said of volunteering at the event. “It was really cool to see that many kids running – I’ve never seen that before at a race.”
The help was greatly appreciated by Lurie Children’s Foundation Development Coordinator, Becky Jarosch, who was impressed with the student-athletes’ willingness to help.
“From setting up tables to staking the Heroes Garden signs, from directing people on the course to handing out pizza, they made such a positive impact on the event and we are so grateful,” Jarosch said.
The Lurie Children’s Move for the Kids 5K Walk and Run is still accepting donations, while the 2016 race date has yet to be announced. Donations can be made by going to the Move for the Kids homepage and clicking the ‘donate & support’ button.
The Move for the Kids Run was just one of many community service projects that saw Peregrine student-athletes participate in 2014-15. Below are a few highlights from the rest of the year:
Greater Hammond Food Depository
Back in December, more than 40 baseball and softball players helped sort food and organize the facility, which provides free food to people and families in need in the greater Hammond area.
R-Dub Club with local Hammond Elementary Schools
Throughout the Spring, 86 Peregrine student-athletes donated their time to making new friends and encouraging local elementary students to read with four visits to each school. Purdue Calumet student-athletes talked about their experiences as athletes, answered questions, and read books with the students.
Hammond Holiday Parade
The Peregrines came out 130 strong to walk in the annual Hammond Holiday Parade in December, displaying Purdue Calumet’s commitment to the its surrounding community in a fun-filled, family-friendly event.
Kids Day X2
More than 44 student-athletes helped make the Purdue Calumet men’s and women’s basketball teams’ “Kids Days” extra special events by painting faces, helping supervise bouncy houses and coloring tables, handing out t-shirts, or assisting with halftime games and activities. The Peregrines hosted a “Kids Day” during hoops doubleheaders in December and February.
Additional Service Projects:
Recess Buddies
Girl Scouts Day
Tying Purple Ribbons
Central Midwest College Fair
Late Night Madness Promotion
Fall Open House Volunteers
Fall Frolic Race Volunteers
METAS Student Panel
Alumni Game Volunteers
Men’s Basketball Team Gives Blood
5k Run Assistance
Dorm Assistance (moving)
To learn more about the growing Purdue Calumet athletic department, check out www.purduecalsports.com or follow #PeregrineNation on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @PurdueCalSports