University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heel Athletes Raise Money Saturday in Walk-a-Thon
September 17, 1999 | Football
Sept. 17, 1999
Football players Luke Huard, Shawn Woodard, Louis Marchetti and Ross McAllister will be among about 50 athletes from the University of North Carolina to participate in the Juvenile Diabetes Walk-a-Thon beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18. Starting at the Radisson in Research Triangle Park, the Walk-a-Thon is one of the many community activities participated in by Carolina Outreach, the service organization for UNC athletes. Last year, the program raised more than $8,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation during the 3.2-mile walk.
Carolina volleyball players Alicia Alford and Tori Seibert, soccer players Michael Bucy and Charlotte Mitchell and track athlete Stefani Dixon will also be among those representing their teams on Saturday.
"So many people have given to us personally in terms of athletics," said Regan Leahy, a UNC track athlete who heads up the Outreach Program. "This is our chance to give back to the community that gives so much to us."
Carolina Outreach has provided an opportunity for UNC athletes to make a positive impact on the community for the past seven years. Outreach sponsors about six major service programs, which include the UNC Dance Marathon, visits to the Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill, a read-a-thon at Frank Porter Graham Elementary School and weekly visits to the Pediatric Playroom at UNC Hospitals. Last year, Outreach also put together about 180 Thanksgiving Baskets for local underprivileged families, a program Outreach will continue this holiday season.
The Juvenile Diabetes Walk-a-Thon is also a way for the various Carolina athletic teams to compete against one another. Along with the push to raise as much money as possible as an athletic department, each team is in competition to raise the most money. Last year, the track team raised over $1,000 by itself to take the title.
"This shows that athletes can do a lot more than just play on a field," Leahy said. "It's also a great way to meet people and a fun way to bring together the athletic department."
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