Bison athletes spread holiday cheer

For the ninth consecutive year, Bison Sports is giving back to the community — the sports teams have been at Siloam Mission all week serving breakfast and lunch.

Starting on Monday, December 9, Bison track & field and women’s soccer were on hand followed the next day by men’s volleyball, football, women’s hockey, T&F and swimming. On Wednesday, December 11, men’s hockey, women’s hockey and swimming were there, then on Thursday, the women’s basketball and men’s basketball teams pitched in. To complete the week, women’s volleyball is in the kitchen this Friday to help with serving and with donation sorting.

Fourth year men’s basketball guard Amir Ali has taken over the leadership for Bison student-athletes to be involved with Siloam Mission this year. Former Bison women’s volleyball player Lindsay Poggemiller-Smith drove the initial initiative in 2005, as she had been a volunteer at the Mission and continues to be there as staff today.

Ali says, “I am very excited that Bison Sports and Siloam Mission are working together again for the ninth year in a row. What Lindsay started back in 2005 has grown to be one of the best opportunities for Bison student-athletes to give back to the community. Being a Bison athlete is bigger than sports and we are glad to be back at Siloam for this year.”

Hundreds of people experiencing poverty and homelessness visit the Siloam Mission every day. Siloam provides more than 8,000 meals per week. Siloam Mission assists in transitioning homeless and disadvantaged people to more self-sufficient and healthier lifestyles by providing referral services, life-skill development, education upgrading, employment-training and supportive housing. Siloam also provides an overnight emergency shelter and Health Centre.