University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Gymnasts Spread Tar Heels Spirit in Community
November 23, 2009 | Women's Gymnastics
Nov. 23, 2009
A knee injury kept sophomore Elizabeth Lindley from flying on the uneven bars during her freshman year, but she has already contributed to the University of North Carolina gymnastics team this season. Lindley was chosen to plan the 2010 team's community service this fall and her efforts put a smile on children's faces at the N.C. Children's Hospital and a local elementary school in Chapel Hill.
Lindley planned three service activities for the team. The first was two afternoons at the N.C. Children's Hospital with the Carolina Kids Cart. The team brought ice cream around to children in the hospital and spent time talking to them.
"The best part of the kids cart was that a whole bunch of kids, right when we walked in the room, were really excited to tell us that they were going home that day," Lindley said.
The second project Lindley planned was a reading day at Frank Porter Graham Elementary School. The team bonded and had fun while reading to second and third graders for the afternoon.
"The reading day was mainly about us, as older students, having the opportunity to act as role models for the kids," Lindley said. "It's also important to get them excited about reading and learning in school. We read them books about science, and they were all really excited to elaborate about the books and tell us everything they knew about the subject."
The gymnastics team then brought a group of children from the N.C. Children's Hospital and their families to the Carolina Homecoming football game against Duke as part of the Carolina Dreams program. After enjoying lunch together, the team and the children cheered the Tar Heels to victory.
"As student-athletes we can make a big impact especially on the kids we've been with. They really look up to us and admire us," Lindley said. "If we can have a positive impact on them, it's great. You can tell they like being around us."
Although the fall off-season offers more time for community service, the Carolina gymnastics squad is committed to giving back throughout the year. On Valentine's Day the Tar Heels will host the University of Maryland in the Carolina Blue & Pink Meet at 2:30 p.m. The meet is the Tar Heels first home meet since 2008 and another way for the team to support the Chapel Hill community.
Before the gymnasts take the floor, they will host the Fourth Annual Cancer Awareness Event beginning at noon in Carmichael Auditorium. The event is designed to provide educational information about programs and organizations in the community that are available to assist individuals and their families as they face the challenges of battling cancer. The event also honors UNC's Get REAL & HEEL program and the Lineberger Cancer Center for the support they provide to women battling breast cancer.
Players Mentioned
