Athletic organization starts YMCA benefit drive
By Jenna Hudson
What began as a school project for four Santa Clara students has turned into a crusade to collect sporting equipment for YMCA youth programs.
Ryan Chiarelli, Scott Borchart, Jordan Legge and Andrew Machado, working on behalf of the Student Athletes Leadership Committee (SALC), held the first stages of an equipment drive last Sunday and Monday in front of the Leavey Center.Ã
SALC is a group of Santa Clara student-athletes made up of two members from each sports team. An element of the group is Bronco Athletes Supporting the Community and involves the athletes donating their time and going to elementary schools to read with the children, tutor them, play games and just talk to them. They also organize various groups and have them come and watch Santa Clara's teams play.
The athletes' goal is to raise as much equipment as possible to aid 3,000 kids involved in various organizations affiliated with the YMCA which runs youth leagues currently lacking equipment.
Specifically, many of the donations will go to kids ages 13-and-under through the Noon Time Sports League. The YMCA designates the equipment to go to local schools where the leagues play.
Chiarelli spoke about how thrilled the YMCA is to be receiving the equipment. "You couldn't imagine the face you saw on the man that was working there," he said. "He was just ecstatic. He looked like he just won the lottery."
According to Machado, the group is relying on the fact that there are not only a large number of athletes on campus, but also a lot of people who live locally and have old equipment that they no longer need and would be willing to donate to people who don't have the necessary equipment. Ã
They also expect to receive a significant amount of equipment from coaches of the Bronco athletic teams.Ã On Monday, a group from the Malley Center came and donated a large amount of old equipment that they no longer check out to students.
Lauren Campi, a Santa Clara student who lives locally, donated a truck-full of equipment after she heard about the drive.
"There is basically a lot of sports equipment that we've had over the years and we don't need it anymore, so why not give it to someone who could use it?" Campi said.Ã
The group chose this service project because they understand from firsthand experience what a positive impact sports can have on a child's life.
"You know that's how we stayed out of trouble, we played sports and stuff," Legge said. "We figured we'd do something that we like to do so we're helping out kids just like us. It's stuff we care about and we related to, so hopefully we can collect enough stuff to affect some kids."Ã
Chiarelli feels the same way. "Obviously playing sports teaches discipline and teamwork, and if kids are introduced to that, it will be great for their futures," he said.
While SALC is the force behind the current fundraiser, by no means do they intend for it to be strictly an effort by the athletes. Chiarelli emphasized his desire to get the whole school involved and demonstrate to the outside community that Santa Clara is a powerful force that wants to help the surrounding community. Ã
In the first weekend, the group was successful in collecting more than 100 items needed to play various sports. The group will also be collecting equipment at Leavey on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. and Monday from 4-8 p.m.Ã
Anyone who has equipment they would like to donate but cannot make those drop-off times should contact Ryan Chiarelli at RChiarelli@scu.edu.
û Contact Jenna Hudson at (408) 554-4852 or jhudson@scu.edu.