University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Spend Free Afternoon At Ronald McDonald House
October 21, 2015 | Field Hockey
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – With UNC on fall break last Thursday, the Tar Heel field hockey team had some time on its hands. So following a morning practice in preparation for Friday's home game against Duke, many of the players headed for the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill, located just off campus. There they spent the afternoon helping with planting and gardening in large courtyard space at the newly-expanded facility.
“Gardening with the team at the Ronald McDonald House was so much fun!” senior Casey Di Nardo said. “We wouldn't be the Carolina field hockey team unless we found a way to make it competitive: Emma Bozek led two groups and challenged us to see which group could plant the prettiest design. Lauren Moyer got really invested in the cause and dug up a huge rock that was keeping plants from growing. Ultimately, she saved the day. The experience was really fun and the whole team enjoyed helping such a wonderful cause.”
But the fun didn't end with gardening. After an afternoon grocery shopping trip, the rest of the team arrived late in the afternoon to cook a dinner of pasta and salad for the guests staying at Ronald McDonald House that night. “Being able to provide a warm meal for families who are under great amounts of stress and grief was really special and also provided and opportunity for team bonding,” said junior Rachel Black. “Knowing that we made their day at least a fraction better was definitely worth it.”
The rest of fall break went well, too, with the Tar Heels picking up wins against No. 4 Duke at home and VCU on the road. They're back in action on Friday when they travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., to face Wake Forest in their final Atlantic Coast Conference game of the season.
