Iona Athletics Earns Rawlings Community Spotlight Honors
Iona Athletics Earns Rawlings Community Spotlight Honors
EDISON, N.J. (Dec. 3, 2020) – The Rawlings Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Community Spotlight is a weekly feature of those giving back in an effort to make a difference in their communities. This week, the MAAC highlights Iona College Athletics.
Iona College and the athletics community organized its annual Thanksgiving basket collection drive before the holiday break. Gael Nation, as a whole, came together to provide at least 140 families with full holiday meals. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and every athletic program specifically worked with various groups across campus to come together and make this collection possible.
The importance for these baskets has skyrocketed this year with more families facing food insecurity and financial hardship due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. During the basket blessing ceremony, Walt Ritz, executive director of HOPE Community Services, shared that his organization used to serve 700 families a month pre-pandemic. Now, they serve 7,000 a month.
The Thanksgiving basket tradition began in the early 2000s. Over the past five years, Iona has donated over 650 Thanksgiving baskets full of food. This year, the distribution was conducted in partnership with four organizations: HOPE Community Services in New Rochelle; the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle; Greyston Foundation Child & Youth Services of Westchester County and Abraham House in the Bronx.
“The collection of Thanksgiving baskets embodies Iona's compassionate concern for those made poor, a hallmark of our College mission and heritage,” said Carl Procario-Foley, Ph.D., director of Mission and Ministry.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) celebrates its 40
th year of competition during the 2020-21 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.