[Cavaliers] Montreat's First Cavalier Care Day a Success
MONTREAT, N.C. – The Montreat Cavaliers athletic department held its first annual Cavalier Care Day on Wednesday. All student-athletes were excused from practice to take part in an area-wide effort to give back to the community and support the many establishments that provide invaluable services and support to our region every day of the year.
More than 370 Cavalier players, coaches, and staff gave of their time to undertake over 30 different service projects in the area.
One group, led by head baseball coach Jason Beck, visited the Asheville VA Medical Center. "We had the privilege to visit the local VA hospital and spend time with some real heroes," said Beck. "We met with former soldiers from as far back as WWII to Korea to Vietnam. It was an awesome experience for the students to converse and hear the stories maybe we don't hear in the news regarding our history."
Nearby, a detail of soccer and baseball players prepared and served meals at the ABCCM Veterans Restoration Quarters, a faith-based Asheville organization that provides invaluable services to homeless veterans and others in need.
Volleyball head coach Kristy Kamer took a group to the Chlidren and Friends Enrichment Center in Black Mountain. The Center is a not-for-profit childcare center that offers a safe, supportive environment for children of all backgrounds from age six weeks through five years.
Assistant basketball coach Dasha Sharova led a group of volunteers to Bounty & Soul, a Black Mountain-based non-profit that makes available food and wellness services to those in the area most in need. Head golf coach John Sullivan provided cleanup and landscaping at Black Mountain Primary School, while athletic director Jose Larios had a detail of student-athletes rolling up their sleeves at The Black Mountain Home for Children. The Home is a ministry that serves youth from birth through college graduation by offering family foster care, transitional living, independent living, and residential care services.
Other undertakings among many including bagglng leaves and landscaping around Montreat Conference Center properties, a group led by head track & field coach Jason Lewkowicz to clean the gym and classrooms at Owen Middle School,
The effort was planned and organized by head softball coach Heather Maston and Larios.
Pictured: (Clockwise from upper left) Athletes share time in fellowship with veterans at the Asheville Medical Center, Cavaliers tend to the playground at the Children and Friends Enrichment Center, students bag leaves outside the Black Mountain Primary School, and players help move food supplies at Bounty & Soul.
Photo Credit: Montreat Athletics