Baseball and Campus Services Donate Easter Baskets to Community Centers

Written by Joshua Soto (SJC-LI Sports Information)

Patchogue, NY| Easter is a special time of the year, but for Coach Rick Garret and his team, it is a chance to give back to families in need. Earlier this week, the St. Joseph's College (L.I.) baseball team put together over 40 Easter baskets for children in need and, along with the help of Director of Campus Ministry, Pat Tracy, made the donations on March 14.

"Coach Garrett and the SJC baseball team did a lot of work this off-season getting ready. In addition to regular practice and training, they put together 40 Easter baskets, each with candies, chocolate bunnies and toys, to be given to young children in need," said Tracy. "The smiles of the young children will only be matched by those of the parents and grandparents who are fiscally challenged and want to give their loving children the joy that the holidays can bring. The Golden Eagles hit a real home run!"

Half of the baskets went to the Gerald Ryan Outreach Center in Wyandanch, where 1,100 families go each month for food and clothes. The remainder will be given to the parents of children brought to the soup Kitchen in East Patchogue.

"I feel truly blessed to be around each and every one of my players. As a father of three, I know the world is going to be a better place because of the student-athletes on my team," added a proud Garrett, who's in his third year at the helm of the program. "They give from the heart every day to the college, to one another and they never forget the people who are not as fortunate. The players came together to bring a little happiness to others."

Team captain and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) president  Ryan Walsh was also moved by the experience, stating "we are so privileged to be student-athletes and these baskets are a great way to remind us of how important it is to give back to those in need. I really hope we can make a young boy or girl's day, especially during the Lenten season"

"It means a lot to us as a team to donate these Easter baskets to needy children because it is a good way for us to give back to the community," added junior pitcher Luke Brown.

Back in December, the baseball team collected over 125 toys and donated them to the college's outreach services program and the Wounded Warrior Project in the spirit of the Christmas season. Read the full story here.