The SMU volleyball team wrapped up its clothing and needs drive for Interfaith Housing Coalition on Tuesday. Over the two-week span of the drive, players and coaches collected clothes, toiletries and non-perishable food items for Dallas-area families in need.
“We wanted to get our name out there,” said junior Kendra Kahanek, “but it’s also an opportunity to volunteer and give back to the community.”
Sophomore Kathryn Wilkerson echoed Kahanek’s sentiments.
“We knew that we wanted to do charity work as a team, so we tried to find a charity that suited what we wanted to do with our time frame,” she said. “The Interfaith Housing Coalition seemed like a great way to help out, and they were willing to work with us so they were a great fit.”
Founded in 1985, Interfaith Housing Coalition initially sought to provide homeless families with transitional housing and services. Since then, according to the coalition’s Web site, “the program has evolved to provide an in-depth approach to address the root issues of generational poverty and homelessness.”
In 1985, families were hopeful to move on within 90 days; now, the program houses families for up to 18 months (depending on specific needs).
With the financial sector in tatters and unemployment rates rising, some who previously thought themselves to be on solid economic ground are now seeking food, shelter and other basic necessities.
“Being able to help people in need is always a great feeling, but it is especially important now that the economy has left so many families with so little,” Wilkerson said. “This organization gives families the resources to restart their lives after a tragedy has taken all they have away from them.”
The drive was the second of the semester for the Mustangs. In early February, they took part in the 23rd annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day, playing games and providing entertainment for area youths before taking them to see the Conference USA Champion SMU women’s basketball team that evening.
“It was great to show them that hard work and dedication can lead them anywhere,” Wilkerson said.
As for future service projects, both players are confident that the team will carry its trend of community involvement into next season and beyond.
Wilkerson explained that the team will “try to do at least one charity function a semester,” though no decision has been made yet on what the service project will be this fall.
“I think we can definitely do it every single year,” Kahanek said.
The volleyball team finished its 2008-09 season with a record of 14-17 (6-11 C-USA) before falling in the first round of the conference championships to the University of Central Florida (72-71).
