Lebanon Valley College Athletics strives to provide its student-athletes with an opportunity to compete at a high level while setting them up for success after graduation. A key component of this mission is the department's commitment to community service, which holds significant importance with each of LVC's teams.
"LVC Athletics has a long tradition of serving the surrounding community," said Pat Ratke, director of athletics. "We teach our athletes to give back to the community and what it means to be a selfless servant through various ways, whether it's a cleanup day down at a local park or visiting the residents of an area nursing home. The lessons they learn through their service will hopefully inspire them to become involved in their local communities and give back when they can after leaving The Valley."
Each Dutchmen team participates in service projects throughout the year, assisting those in the campus community and residents in local towns such as Annville and Lebanon.
"I believe that it is crucial to give back to the community that gives to us," said Josh Otto '24, co-captain of the men's track & field team. "As a team, I think that it is important that we all participate because it shows that we are a big group that can make a small or even a large impact on those near or far from LVC."
LVC's men's and women's track and field teams have volunteered at the Immanuel United Methodist Church in Cleona, Pa. They served meals at its soup kitchen and packaged maternal birthing kits. Additionally, the squads made blankets to send to local homeless shelters and cards for the Lebanon VA Medical Center.
The Dutchmen volleyball team volunteered at the Dauphin Dog Show, setting up the obstacle course and delivering judges' scores. During the fall semester, the team also wrote letters to women receiving services from the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program at Lebanon Family Health Services. Londonderry Village, a senior living community in Palmyra, is another frequent spot where the team played interactive games such as balloon volleyball and bingo and made crafts.
"Our experience at Londonderry Village was particularly memorable," junior Abigail Souder said. "Witnessing the residents' joy during our activities was heartwarming. Some shared stories about their experiences in Lebanon and nearby areas, offering us unique insights into our community."
Engaging in these service projects has been such a valuable experience," added Souder. "Beyond the opportunity to give back, they've provided us with a chance to make meaningful connections and learn from some very knowledgeable individuals from diverse backgrounds."
Like the men's and women's track and field programs, LVC's football team has a large roster that impacts bigger service projects. The group picked up trash and cleared walking paths at Stoevers Dam Park in Lebanon during training camp in August. Jake Marcus, senior defensive tackle and co-captain, expressed that this annual event is rewarding for the team and helps the student-athletes get to know each other before the start of the season.
"This is truly a team bonding experience," Marcus said. "Some of my fondest memories include just the drive over. The coaches mix returning players and first-year students in the cars transporting us there. At first, the ride over is pretty quiet, but after we are done, you would think we have known each other for all four years."
Members of the football team read books to elementary students in Lebanon and move books from the Annville Free Library to the Annville United Methodist Church for their annual book sale. Additionally, the Dutchmen helped tear down the winter field bubble at In the Net Sports Complex. The group also assisted with traffic, setup, and spotting lifts at Fort Indiantown Gap's Lift-A-Thon event.
Braden Bohannon, junior quarterback and co-captain, said the team is proud to give back through such opportunities. "Service is important because it gives us a chance to help the community," Bohannon said. "It also brings us together as a team by spending time together and working."
Dutchmen service doesn't stop there. The baseball team has organized collections for the campus food pantry, men's lacrosse ring bells for The Salvation Army at Christmas, and numerous student-athletes volunteer with Special Olympics and other campus service projects. Each of these projects demonstrates the commitment of the Dutchmen to service, which will continue to be an integral part of being a student-athlete at LVC.
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