Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Give Back During “Week of Service”
March 24, 2017 | Football
Colorado’s football program spent the past week out in the community helping those that support them on and off the field at CU
BOULDER – Since wrapping up spring football, the University of Colorado football program spent this week giving back to the community that has supported them so well during The Rise last season.
The Buffs just completed what they call their "week of service." In essence, it was a week of leadership through service.
Over the past five days the Buffs lent a hand at two community food banks, had three separate visits to elementary schools, two visits at senior living facilities and volunteered with a family group that focuses on easing the burdens of life's day-to-day obligations.
"It is always important to give back to the community because we were them when we were younger," said senior George Frazier, who was elected as a team captain for the second consecutive season. "It is good for (the kids) to see people where they are coming from to make it and just to kind of hear from another person who is not an adult, as a college athlete in their eyes, to hear about how good school is."
In addition to the community service, 56 football student-athletes penned a total of 365 thank you notes to donors as a part of CU's thank-a-thon. The thank-a-thon is designed to show CU Buff Club members our gratitude for their generosity that assists with the costs of scholarships and overall programmatic support.
"They gave us the opportunity to have a place like this, the Champions Center, and make us succeed in school on and off the field," senior offensive lineman Tim Lynott said. "It is just a great experience being able to know that they have our back and make sure that we get the best opportunities."
The week started Monday with two groups of Buffs visiting the Community Food Share in Louisville and Broomfield FISH, while other groups went to Kohl Elementary and the There With Care family organization in Boulder.
"We love having the CU football team here. It means the world to us to have them helping out in the community," said Mike Lutz from Broomfield FISH in Broomfield, a local non-profit organization that distributes food to those in need throughout the community. "I like to tell the guys every year that seeing them help out the community and doing all of these wonderful things means a lot to us. It is just awesome to see them come in here with smiles on their faces and just eager to do whatever they can to help out."
At Broomfield FISH, the organization for feeding families and fueling hope, CU players and coaches packaged food that will be distributed to Broomfield residents who earn an annual income that is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Last year, FISH provided 629,389 pounds of food to more than 4,200 Broomfield residents according to its website.
"They only have three employees and this huge, I mean you are helping families every day," junior outside linebacker Terran Hasselbach said after volunteering at Broomfield FISH Monday. "Having us here is helping move the process along and it is huge for us because we like to give back to the community.
"The community comes to us every day. There are kids that they talk about who come in here that love the Buffaloes and these kids aren't eating every day, so it is important that we come back here and we're not only entertaining them on TV, but actually giving something back to them as far as we can help in their lives."
Colorado student-athletes spent Tuesday and Thursday mornings signing the thank you notes for Buff Club donors.
On Friday, another four groups of Buffs went out again in the community. Two groups went to visit elementary schools where they read and encouraged students to do their best in school. Another two groups of Buffs visited Morning Star Senior Living to assist with outside activities and to visit with the residents.
About Colorado Athletics Community Outreach
CU Athletics is proud to serve our community in a manner that will enrich the lives of those we engage with through our targeted programs and outreach. The Buffs are focused on making a positive local impact in the state of Colorado, with an emphasis in the Front Range, under the pillars of Youth Outreach & Education, Environmental Responsibility, and Health & Wellness. Our mission will be accomplished through the tireless efforts of our current and former student-athletes, coaches, spirit squads, athletic department staff and partners who are dedicated to making a difference.
CU's community outreach programs include Ralphie's Kid Roundup, Chip's Kids Club and Read with the Buffs while CU also holds community events and sends student-athletes out in the community. For more information and questions please contact Rachel Ripken, Community Outreach Coordinator, at rachel.ripken@colorado.edu or 303-492-1976.
About the Buff Club
The Buff Club exists to secure philanthropic funding that directly supports CU Athletics in its mission to deliver a world-class and comprehensive student-athlete experience. With a commitment to and an intimate understanding of CU Athletics, we connect our donors' passions with the vision and priorities of the department by leveraging our professional expertise in a uniquely personal way.
The mission of the Buff Club is to strategically grow our support base while increasing philanthropic giving for CU Athletics. To learn more about the Buff Club, visit www.cubuffclub.com or call 303-492-2200.
The Buffs just completed what they call their "week of service." In essence, it was a week of leadership through service.
Over the past five days the Buffs lent a hand at two community food banks, had three separate visits to elementary schools, two visits at senior living facilities and volunteered with a family group that focuses on easing the burdens of life's day-to-day obligations.
"It is always important to give back to the community because we were them when we were younger," said senior George Frazier, who was elected as a team captain for the second consecutive season. "It is good for (the kids) to see people where they are coming from to make it and just to kind of hear from another person who is not an adult, as a college athlete in their eyes, to hear about how good school is."
In addition to the community service, 56 football student-athletes penned a total of 365 thank you notes to donors as a part of CU's thank-a-thon. The thank-a-thon is designed to show CU Buff Club members our gratitude for their generosity that assists with the costs of scholarships and overall programmatic support.
"They gave us the opportunity to have a place like this, the Champions Center, and make us succeed in school on and off the field," senior offensive lineman Tim Lynott said. "It is just a great experience being able to know that they have our back and make sure that we get the best opportunities."
The week started Monday with two groups of Buffs visiting the Community Food Share in Louisville and Broomfield FISH, while other groups went to Kohl Elementary and the There With Care family organization in Boulder.
"We love having the CU football team here. It means the world to us to have them helping out in the community," said Mike Lutz from Broomfield FISH in Broomfield, a local non-profit organization that distributes food to those in need throughout the community. "I like to tell the guys every year that seeing them help out the community and doing all of these wonderful things means a lot to us. It is just awesome to see them come in here with smiles on their faces and just eager to do whatever they can to help out."
At Broomfield FISH, the organization for feeding families and fueling hope, CU players and coaches packaged food that will be distributed to Broomfield residents who earn an annual income that is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Last year, FISH provided 629,389 pounds of food to more than 4,200 Broomfield residents according to its website.
"They only have three employees and this huge, I mean you are helping families every day," junior outside linebacker Terran Hasselbach said after volunteering at Broomfield FISH Monday. "Having us here is helping move the process along and it is huge for us because we like to give back to the community.
"The community comes to us every day. There are kids that they talk about who come in here that love the Buffaloes and these kids aren't eating every day, so it is important that we come back here and we're not only entertaining them on TV, but actually giving something back to them as far as we can help in their lives."
Colorado student-athletes spent Tuesday and Thursday mornings signing the thank you notes for Buff Club donors.
On Friday, another four groups of Buffs went out again in the community. Two groups went to visit elementary schools where they read and encouraged students to do their best in school. Another two groups of Buffs visited Morning Star Senior Living to assist with outside activities and to visit with the residents.
About Colorado Athletics Community Outreach
CU Athletics is proud to serve our community in a manner that will enrich the lives of those we engage with through our targeted programs and outreach. The Buffs are focused on making a positive local impact in the state of Colorado, with an emphasis in the Front Range, under the pillars of Youth Outreach & Education, Environmental Responsibility, and Health & Wellness. Our mission will be accomplished through the tireless efforts of our current and former student-athletes, coaches, spirit squads, athletic department staff and partners who are dedicated to making a difference.
CU's community outreach programs include Ralphie's Kid Roundup, Chip's Kids Club and Read with the Buffs while CU also holds community events and sends student-athletes out in the community. For more information and questions please contact Rachel Ripken, Community Outreach Coordinator, at rachel.ripken@colorado.edu or 303-492-1976.
About the Buff Club
The Buff Club exists to secure philanthropic funding that directly supports CU Athletics in its mission to deliver a world-class and comprehensive student-athlete experience. With a commitment to and an intimate understanding of CU Athletics, we connect our donors' passions with the vision and priorities of the department by leveraging our professional expertise in a uniquely personal way.
The mission of the Buff Club is to strategically grow our support base while increasing philanthropic giving for CU Athletics. To learn more about the Buff Club, visit www.cubuffclub.com or call 303-492-2200.
Players Mentioned
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Saturday, April 11
Saturday, April 11
Saturday, April 11