Amidst the cold and windy weather, Carleton varsity athletes trekked out to the McKeen Metro Glebe to participate in the Ravens Can Hunger Food Drive Nov. 23-24 for the Ottawa Food Bank.
Over 40 varsity athletes from seven different sports along with members from the Ravens Rhythm Cheer Team volunteered at the event. The food drive was organized by the Ravens Varsity Council, a student-run group with representatives from each sporting team, Andrew Latty, a men’s soccer player and head of the council, said.
Latty said he has helped organize the food drive since its launch in 2010, adding how they also “have the same returning people always pitching in.”
Johanna Elgie, the assistant manager of marketing and sales for Carleton Athletics, said via email that the food drive raised more than $10,000 worth of food and money in 2012 and she has hopes of reaching that goal again.
Each varsity team also competes for the most donations, a title she said went to the women’s hockey team the past two years.
Alexis Groulx is an athlete on the varsity women’s rugby team and three-time volunteer with the food drive. She explained how varsity teams compete every year for the Investors Group Champions Cup, an award of $2,000 given to one team at the end of the year.
“We’re on a point system,” Groulx said. “They tally points with things like volunteering, stuff like this, athletes of the week, and academic standings.”
“This year, we really want to win,” she said with a smile.
Adrienne Sukunda, a member of the Carleton fencing team and food drive volunteer, said that’s not the only reason they participate.
“I think we’re all just doing this out of the goodness of our hearts and to be involved,” she said.
Ottawa resident Heather Moore said she makes an effort to donate to the food bank during her routine grocery shopping.
“I think we forget,” she said, dropping off a bag of non-perishable food items. “We’re all busy with our own lives and it’s great that they’re here to remind us there are people in need and a few bags of groceries can make all the difference.”
The food drive is one of the many charitable events organized by the Ravens Varsity Council. Pink in the Rink was a breast cancer awareness and fundraising event held at the end of October where the women’s hockey transformed the Ice House into a pink paradise, covered in pink decorations while the team wore pink jerseys.
The Ravens Varsity Council is looking to expand their community involvement in the upcoming year, Latty said.
“We’re launching our own program in January called Ravens Care, where we’ll help with after school programs so underprivileged kids have some place to play after school,” he said.
Creating a greater presence in the community is an important part of what it means to be a Carleton athlete, Groulx said.
“It’s nice to get into the community and put a good face to Ravens athletes. People in the community come out and watch our games so it’s important to give back,” she said. “It’s almost a responsibility as being a varsity athlete to be a good role model to others.”
