St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Softball Participates In Midnight Run
2/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 10, 2006
QUEENS, N.Y. - Members of the St. John's softball team took a short break from practicing for the upcoming season to take part in a Midnight Run. On the evening of Feb. 2, the team braved the frigid weather and hit the streets of Manhattan, giving out food and clothing to the needy.
"I am proud of our girls for the extensive lengths they go to in helping the community," said assistant coach Kathy Freaney. "This is a group that recognizes how fortunate they are and have an awareness of how many people go without."
The Midnight Run began in 1984 and is a volunteer organization dedicated to finding common ground between the housed and homeless. One of the main goals of the group is to forge a bond by establishing a foundation of sharing and caring from which solutions may evolve. Runs are organized on a daily basis by faith groups, high schools and colleges. During each run, a group goes into Manhattan and distributes food and clothing to the homeless.
Although the softball team takes part in this event annually, it was the first Midnight Run for many of the squad's newcomers. Five of the team's six freshmen participated in the event and no one left unaffected by the evening's activities.
"After hearing all of these different stories and situations tonight, I sympathize even more for the homeless," said freshman first baseman, Ashley Basilicato. "Knowing where they are coming from and what they have had to endure makes me realize how grateful I am for everything I have."
Sophomore pitcher Lisa Geer echoed these sentiments and described the experience as "an eye opener towards the dignity of the human person."
St. John's University organizes a run very Wednesday and Thursday night. Student-athletes have been dedicated to filling the Thursday night slot weekly. Next week, the women's volleyball team will participate in the Midnight Run, followed by the Department of Athletics administration. For further information on volunteering, please contact Paula Migliore, Campus Minister to Athletics, at 718-990-6426.
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