By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications
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As Lehigh Athletics' Community Relations Coordinator Roseann Corsi handed a local mother some gift cards for gas, groceries and other essential items, both sides were fighting back tears.
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While most people (of all ages) ask themselves "what do I want" around Christmastime and the holiday season, everyone doesn't have that privilege.
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That's where Adopt-A-Family comes in.
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Thursday capped off Lehigh Athletics' 21st Annual Adopt-A-Family initiative with the final event at Broughal Middle School in Bethlehem. For more than two decades, Lehigh student-athletes have provided holidays for local families who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford it.
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This year was a little bit different for two Mountain Hawks' teams (women's basketball and softball), whose "adopted" families are homeless.
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The Adopt-A-Family process includes everything from fundraising to shopping, wrapping and presenting the gifts.
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"We're supporting these families during the holidays because they all have needs in some way," said women's basketball junior Mary Clougherty. "Not having a home only amplifies the significance this time of year, especially because it's cold outside. We want to support in any way we can – whether it be food, gift cards or coats. When shopping, we thought a skirt was really cute, but wanted to cover their legs to stay warm so opted for a legging outfit. We also got pillows and blankets for the family."
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On Thursday evening, an appreciation of the little things was on display.
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"It was definitely a treat to see the joy in these kids' eyes – even though they don't have a home, knowing they're together as a family," said Clougherty. "They're with their siblings and their mom, and can still smile at the little things even though there's so much going on in their lives. They can always find a time to smile, give each other hugs and be really grateful and happy kids."
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When thinking about these children, a simple, innocent moment stood out to women's basketball sophomore Katie Rice.
A youngster shows off his face painting to Christine Balestra of women's lacrosse
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"Watching him get his face painted, he was asked what he wanted on his face," said Rice. "He said Olaf (from Frozen). He knows Olaf and is just like any other kid in that way. Seeing him smile with his face paint on, it was so special to see something small make such a big difference."
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Small gestures go a long way and are big in the lives of these families. Throughout the entire event, the smiles were abundant.
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"It is genuine happiness, appreciation and gratitude," said senior Emily Preble of the softball team. "It's reciprocated from us to them and from them to us. It was awesome to share in the experience and you could tell it was something they're going to remember for a very long time."
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As student-athletes, the Mountain Hawks are constantly focused on relationships in their everyday lives (with each other, with coaches, with professors, etc.), so they can appreciate the strong bonds that were on display Thursday evening.
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"I saw a really, really close-knit family," said Rice. "In former years and past experiences, our families have had a little bit more, but it's always family first. It's amazing to see the bond the children had with their mom.
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"After the brother got his face painted, the first thing he wanted to do was show his mom. Those moments – being together, opening presents together and showing each other – mean a lot."
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The student-athletes saw that connection in a short amount of time. The Mountain Hawks first met their families Thursday, but actually built a connection with them over weeks (receiving information about the family members to help them shop).
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"Watching our families interact with each other, you could see the connection they've built," said Preble. "To be able to see that in just an hour in a gym is really special."
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The student-athletes embrace Adopt-A-Family, which makes the event extra special. The entire process is arguably just as valuable to the student-athletes as it is the families they're helping, because of the perspective it brings.
The football team watches as youngsters open their gifts
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"It's really easy for us to get caught up in our everyday schedule," said Rice. "'Oh my gosh, I have so much to do. I have finals, I have games.' But seeing someone like that creates its own perspective that we don't have it bad. We're blessed to have an opportunity to attend Lehigh University.
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"Even in our recent experience in the Bahamas, we saw a lot of the kids in a similar predicament (click here to read the story on the team giving back during a tournament over Thanksgiving). That was a foreign country, but we have these problems in the United States."
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The student-athletes took action through Adopt-A-Family, and they never take their platform to make a difference for granted.
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"Anytime you can make an impact on somebody's life, it's an awesome experience," said Preble. "The holiday season is a great time to put yourself in a mindset of giving back. This year felt even more moving to know that we helped bring joy to a family that could use it a little extra.
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"It was an experience we'll take with us for a long time."
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"It's important as athletes and people to see what really matters in life," said Clougherty. "We play games, we compete in the classroom and we try our hardest, but those are such little things compared to having a home and having a family to be warm with. It definitely puts perspective on our lives and reminds us the importance of giving back as much as we can."
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