St. John's University Athletics
Women's Soccer Players, Coaches Serving in the Community
3/30/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Donate to Give Kids the World
QUEENS, N.Y. - For the second time in as many years, former women's soccer standout and current assistant coach Jen Leaverton utilized her time off during spring break to serve a very meaningful cause, chaperoning a group of St. John's students in a service trip to the Give Kids the World Village in Central Florida.
Give Kids the World, founded in 1986, provides a place for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families to stay free of charge and provides them with transportation and tickets to the Orlando area's numerous theme parks. Since its inception, the organization has touched the lives of more than 140,000 children.
This is not Leaverton's first experience with GKTW, as she volunteered with the organization last year after spending time with the group during a spring break trip as a junior in 2011.
"Spending a week at Give Kids the World as a student during my junior year was one of the highlights of my time here at St. John's," Leaverton said. "From tray-carrying, carousel operating, train conducting, trick-or-treating, gift giving, shuttle driving and Christmas parade marching, it was an unforgettable week. The families and kids we bonded with throughout the week made an impact on us that will last a lifetime.
Aside from her work with this outstanding organization, Leaverton is active in community service on a number of other fronts. Currently, Leaverton is a part of a non-profit called Back on My Feet, which combats homelessness through the power of running, community support and essential employment and housing resources.
This time around, Leaverton was able to bring a pair of women's soccer players, Shea Connors and Mariela Jacome, with her on the trip.
"This experience taught me to enjoy the little things in life," Connors said." While serving at Give Kids the World, I saw these incredible children and families, who were going through extremely difficult times, make the most of each and every day. I have a new perspective on life. I want to be more present in the moment as they were and take things as they come."
"My week at Give Kids the World prepared me to become a better leader in the St. John's community by giving me more experience working with different types of people," Jacome said. "The week also taught me that every task is important, no matter how big or small, and encouraged me to get my friends at St. John's to become more active in volunteer services."
Jacome said she decided to give up her spring break, "because, for me, there was no option more appealing. My goal is to become a pediatric oncology social worker to help families dealing with children with terminal illnesses when I graduate. Give Kids the World gave me the opportunity to get closer to this goal by working with families dealing with this hardship and allowed me to meet some of the most gracious, loving and special children and parents."
The Red Storm continue its string of competitive exhibition contests this spring, hosting Division II LIU Post on Friday at 7 p.m. at Belson Stadium.
