University of Minnesota Athletics
Celebrating Thanksgiving at Children's Hospital
11/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Student-Athlete Development
Written by Tyson Peters
Gopher Athletic Communications Intern
The Gopher student-athletes were in the Thanksgiving spirit as they visited the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital on Friday, November 21.
Women's soccer was well represented on the trip with Mara Dougherty, Simone Kolander, Ashley Pafko, Allison Reinke and Josee Stiever. Also in attendance was Courtney Alama and Molly Eastman from women's cross country, Sabrine Garrison from women's golf and Derek Wiebke of men's cross country.
The athletes set up shop right by the front entrance next to some fun Disney characters that had games for the children. The student-athletes got into arts and crafts as they made turkey hats for themselves and all the kids that stopped by the table. For many of the kids, it really made their day, but that was true for the student-athletes as well.
"I loved interacting with the kids," said Courtney Alama from women's cross-country. "I liked working with Alex especially. He was just so excited and the parents really seemed to enjoy watching him interact with us making the hats."
Women's soccer's Allie Reinke spoke about how much she loves the opportunities to volunteer. "I think volunteering is so fun because it's such a great way to give back to all the people that helped us get somewhere," she said. "It's really rewarding to see all the kids smile and see how much fun they have just playing around, reading or doing whatever with us."
