Old Westbury, N.Y. – The NYIT men’s and women’s lacrosse programs both pursued separate community service ventures this Thanksgiving season to give back to those less fortunate. The women’s team volunteered their time at the Run for the Warriors event in Lindenhurst, N.Y. as the men’s program returned to Cohen Children’s Medical Center to put together a carnival for patients.
Run For The Warriors is a unique race dedicated to the men and women injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, their families, and families of the fallen. It is a celebration of their strength andresolve and a promise to continue restoring self, family, and hope. The Run For The Warriors race series provides wounded service members encouragement and the opportunity to pursue the sport of running, walking, or cycling to assist in their physical and emotional rehabilitation. Members of the women’s team acted as “Race Marshalls” that were spread throughout the course that helped direct way the while cheering and encouraging the runners.
From mini golf to a football toss, members of the team created, by hand, nearly 15 different activities for the children and their families to enjoy. Much like the event they hosted at St. Mary’s Hospital earlier in the semester, patients were able to socialize and win prizes without stepping foot out of the center. “Seeing these kids in the conditions they are in, was truely an eye opener,” commented senior attackman George Schultz. “It reminds me of how blessed and lucky I am given the opportunities I have been granted with. It was a warm hearted feeling seeing how much the kids were enjoying the games we put together for them.”
NYIT women’s lacrosse opens the inaugural season on Saturday, February 25 with a non-conference contest against Georgian Court. The men will take on Bentley University the same day but on their home field, President’s Stadium.
