Raven Athletes Volunteer Over the Holidays
Three days before Christmas, in a brief interruption of the usual hustle, bustle and preoccupation with material gifts, the Alonso High School football players and cheerleaders learned about the real holiday spirit. The Ravens gave back. The Alonso contingent volunteered on the morning shift at Metropolitan Ministries, a non-profit agency in Central Tampa that has been helping the poor, the homeless and the hungry since 1972.
The agency has provided more than 23-million hot meals and offered more than 354,000 nights of safe-haven shelter. During the holidays, needs are accentuated, particularly for children who have nothing.
“Yesterday, I was so stressed out, buying so many things for other people, rushing around to the mall,’’ said Alonso junior cheerleader Angela Niedenfuer, a resident of The Fords. “Now I have a different feeling. How can you not appreciate everything you have?’’
The Alonso cheerleaders encouraged the football players to get involved.
Together they pitched in, helping to distribute food and presents for the needy. After a few hours of giving, it finally dawned on them. They had received a gift too.
“This is so great for the whole family atmosphere we try to encourage at Alonso,’’ said Brian Emanuel, the football coach. “This is big for the kids and big for the adults, too. I’ve got two little girls at home and it just really touches your heart to see the generosity of people in our community.
“It’s a great life lesson for our kids to come out and help people who don’t have what we’re fortunate to have at our homes.’’
Jessica Becker, the volunteer services manager at Metropolitan Ministries, said the Alonso group provided a valuable boost during the hectic, pre-holiday rush.
“It’s an amazing group,’’ said Becker, a member of Alonso’s first graduating class in 2003. “When you run into people who have never done something like this before, it’s quite an experience. You see a lot of emotion. It can be overwhelming.
“It’s a different side of Christmas. It’s about giving back instead of getting. And I must say, it’s great to have the big football guys around. Their ability to lift the heavy boxes and move things around really steps things up. Really, it has been great.’’
Some of the Alonso students stacked shelves with merchandise.
Others helped pick out toys for kids.
Others received drive-through donations. And others unloaded materials from trucks.
“I didn’t matter what they did individually, the thing is, collectively, they helped to make a difference for a lot of people,’’ Becker said.
And that was the biggest lesson for everyone.
Emanuel said he didn’t know what to expect. It was winter vacation. Many families already had scattered. But he was heartened when three dozen students answered the call for volunteers.
“Giving instead of getting … that’s part of our job as teachers and coaches and adults, to try and instill that in our kids,’’ Emanuel said. “Everyone knows it’s a good idea. Everyone knows they
should do something. You can talk a good game all you want, but it’s another thing to come out here on vacation and take a positive step.
“I couldn’t be prouder of all these kids.’’
For most Alonso students, it was their first visit to Metropolitan Ministries. It probably won’t be their last visit, either.
“It was a great way to help people, but I think it became a team-bonding experience as well,’’ said Alonso junior quarterback Brandon Hawkins, a resident of The Fords. “We’re close during the season, of course, but this is another way to work toward a common goal.’’
“It’s crazy to think about how many people are struggling these days,’’ Alonso junior running back Ish Witter said. “Especially the kids. To give them a brighter Christmas, that just makes it all worthwhile. It puts everything in perspective.’’
Niedenfuer said it was especially gratifying to see the cheerleaders and football players working together on a project.
“Those big, macho guys were actually helping out,’’ said Niedenfuer, half in jest. “Really, though, you know deep down that they are a bunch of great guys. I’m proud of everybody who was able to come out. It’s probably the most meaningful thing any of us will do over the holidays.’’
By Joey Johnston
Joey Johnston is a resident of The Shires and always looking for great sports stories to cover. E-mail him at akjohnston@verizon.net.