December 14, 2006
Women’s Soccer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SYCAMORES BRANCH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY WITH HOLIDAY CHEER

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – For many, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season causes people to overlook the spirit of giving that permeates during the month of December. Add to that the coupling of term papers and finals in the life of a college student and the whole idea that there is a reason to celebrate is the farthest thing from their mind.

However, despite all of the finals, the holiday specials and the many directions that they were being pulled, the Indiana State women’s soccer team found time to share the gift of the holidays with children. The fact that the team gave up their own Christmas party, is what makes the story all the more heartfelt.

ISU women’s soccer captain Callie McDonough proposed to the team that instead of a team dinner or gift exchange that the athletes could take that money and donate it to a local charity in the Wabash Valley. After some research, McDonough discovered Ryves Hall, an organization, according to their website, dedicated to “serving the poor, hungry, homeless, elderly, neglected children and the needy”.

McDonough’s idea of spreading some holiday cheer began to take shape as the members of the team donated more than 400 dollars that went directly toward the purchase of toys and clothes for the underprivileged children that were housed at Ryves Hall.

“I think it is great that the girls were so unselfish that they gave up their own team Christmas for someone else,” McDonough said of the experience.

Although the team will not see those to whom they supplied a special holiday memory for, the team will have its own special memory of the service performed during this special time of year.

"I am so very proud of the how the players have embraced the holiday season and the morals of this time of year,” head coach Vernon Croft said of his team. “This has always been a very special group of young ladies to work with and this is just another reason why they are so special, I applaud them and hope that many others in the community will follow their lead."

For more information or to donate to Ryves Hall, please visit www.ryveshall.org

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