Oct. 21, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Several members of the UCF track and field and cross country teams recently took time out of their busy schedules as student-athletes to go to the Central Florida Children's Home to play games and hang out with the residents of the home.
While at the home, the Knights played a variety of games with the youth, including UNO, Phase 10, Pit Corner the Market, volleyball and basketball.
"This year we are going to emphasize service for the track and field program," said head track and field coach Caryl Smith Gilbert. "It is important because a lot of opportunities have been afforded to us through the people in our community, so it is our responsibility to be role models and leaders to the community, especially the children. I am trying to teach the student-athletes that it is important to help other people. My hope is that we can touch at least one life per event and that by hearing the stories of others our athletes can make it through hardships they may face down the line."
The Central Florida Children's Home is a residence for children of all ages whose parents either can not or will not take care of them. There are roughly 15 children who live in the home, and they also have a couple sets of house parents.
"It is very important to give back, especially to those who are less fortunate than us," said senior Sheree Carter. "It did not feel like service at all. It just was out there having fun with the kids, and it took me back to my childhood so I had a lot of fun. We met some really cool children, got to know them a little bit and we bonded as a team as well."
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