James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
JMU Softball Spends Winter Break Helping Others
2/1/2018 11:00:00 AM | Softball, Civic Engagement
Over winter break, softball student-athletes volunteered at various locations in their hometowns. Thirteen athletes committed 77 hours of their personal time at places including homeless shelters, food banks, animal shelters and schools.
Sophomore Michala Pellegrino volunteered 11 hours over winter break. She spent a segment of those hours at Serve Camp in Leesburg, Virginia and said of her experience, "Over this past winter break, I met with the administrators of Serve Camp and planned out a childhood cancer fundraiser, an awareness 5K and a summer festival with a focus on teenage suicide. This festival is an opportunity to reassure teens that they are loved and that they matter. Serve Camp is more than just a camp to me, it has become my family, and I am so blessed to be able to spend my time serving my community and the Lord with my family by my side."
Freshman Michelle Sullivan invested a portion of her 10 hours of volunteer work at HART Dog Adoption in Chantilly, Virginia. When asked about her service, Sullivan said, "Every time I go home, I try to find time to volunteer at the local dog shelter. I usually help by playing with the dogs and puppies and explaining their back-story to potential adopters. It's something that I really enjoy doing because it feels good knowing that I helped these dogs find the new homes they deserve."
Payton Buresch, a freshman, spent a December evening at SEASPAR Winter Formal Dance for Special Needs Students in Downers Grove, Illinois. Buresch commented on the night and how it held special meaning to her, saying, "Over winter break, I had the opportunity to help out with the special needs' winter dance. Just getting the opportunity to spend time with these kids means more to me than I can even put into words. Being able to see how the smallest things put the biggest smiles on their faces… My younger brother has Down's Syndrome, so growing up as his older sister, I have learned to live by this quote: 'Sometimes the things we can't change end up changing us.' This means a lot to me because working with these kids has not only changed me as a person, but also my outlook on life."
After winning the 2017 CAA Championship, the Dukes have been selected in the CAA preseason poll to win this years' 2018 championship as well. The season begins February 8 against the University of Nevada at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico at 8 p.m.
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