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Villanova
supports Special Olympics, One Stride at a Time
By Krystin Fischer '06
On Sept.
22, the 2004 Special Olympics Fall Festival Committee at Villanova hosted
their annual fundraiser, Strides. Strides is a 5K run/walk around campus
when students, faculty, staff and community members come out to support one
of Villanova’s proudest traditions, housing the Special Olympics of
Pennsylvania in November. With a donation of $10 participants received a red
Strides T-shirt with the logo, “Villanova Supports Special Olympics, One
Stride at a Time.” There were over 375 donors and nearly 200 people ran
the course. With the overwhelming support of the Villanova community the
committee raised over $5,000. Although Strides was a great way to raise
money, the Special Olympics committee also thinks Strides is important
because it raises awareness on campus. Villanovans get to see the excitement
and passion Villanova has for Special Olympics. This year’s Fall Festival
director, senior Colleen Gruffi stated, “First and foremost, Strides is for
the athletes. It is a great time for all who participate and I would
consider this event the kick-off to getting everyone on campus excited about
the Festival.” The Fall Festival committee is comprised of 73 students who
dedicate their entire fall semester to making the weekend of Special
Olympics, one that each athlete will never forget. This year, the Fall
Festival will take place from Nov. 12 through the 14. “One of my hopes for
this year is that each and every athlete can leave Villanova’s campus
feeling proud of themselves as well as a sense of accomplishment,” said
Gruffi. |
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