Warriors lend helping hand through service

Thirty-six Waldorf track and field athletes volunteered to assist the Feed My Starving Children organization. Photo courtesy Matt Oliver

By Matt Oliver

CHANHASSEN, Minn. – Thirty-six members of the Waldorf College track and field teams displayed the importance of volunteerism as they assisted the Feed My Starving Children organization on Wednesday.

It was the second annual trip for the Warriors in which they provided service through the project alongside head coach Kelsey Riggins, associate head coach Corey Bins, assistant coach Ashley Conway and team bus driver Lynn Osterkamp.

“Volunteering is important in this program,” Riggins said. “I want these athletes to be out in the communities and to give back.”

Feed My Starving Children brings together volunteers to hand-pack meals formulated for malnourished children. Once completed, meals are then shipped to approximately 70 countries across the globe.

The project allowed the Warriors to bond as a team. They went out for dinner and then headed to volunteer. With the holiday season in full swing, Waldorf’s athletes demonstrated the spirit of giving as they took pride in making a difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate.

“It was fun to see them all working together and enjoying their time,” Riggins said. “We had athletes stocking, packing, labeling and sealing Manna packs.”

Participating in the effort for the first time last year, the Warriors helped a team of volunteers pack more than 17,000 meals. This time around, volunteers packed 142 boxes, which totals 30,672 meals and feeds 84 children for a year.

Waldorf’s athletes assisting a cause through service exemplifies the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Champions of Character initiative, which emphasizes the core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.

“We strive to follow the Champions of Character initiative set forth by the NAIA,” Riggins said. “Seeing these young adults grow through volunteering and as a team is one of the reasons I got into coaching.”