Published: February 09, 2006
Queens, NY
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.
For the most up-to-date information and statistics on St. John's
Athletics, please visit www.RedStormSports.com, or
call our hotline at 1-888-GO-STORM.