By Charles Kruzits
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/28/11
The Strath Haven boys’ squad has been named the Phillylacrosse.com Team of the Week for spending its Tuesday night packing hundreds of boxes for the needy at Philabundance in South Philadelphia.
The team – featuring 28 players and two coaches – formed an assembly line in which foods and items would go through. The team did what it could, whether it was packaging the food or making the boxes in which the goods would be shipped. Strath Haven team packed an astonishing 735 boxes filled with goods that went to needy elders.
Philabundance serves low income residents at risk of hunger and malnutrition, of which 23% are children and 16% are senior citizens. Mack Cross, a junior midfielder who led the project with co-captains Drew Goff and Darrel Hunter, was the team leader for the project and said the day was a success.
“We helped people out who were in need,” he said. “Knowing we did a good deed and we made 735 boxes is a good feeling.”
Cross has made a habit of donating his time to charitable acts over the last three years. He and his mother helped out at Philabundance over the holidays, which sparked the idea for Mack to talk to head coach David Waldman about his idea to get the team involved in community service.
“Some of them asked me how it would be and I told them it would be fun,” Cross said. “Everyone started out nervous, but we got to have fun and help others. Some even said they would like to do it again.”
Cross thanks his parents for his drive to help those who are less fortunate.
“My parents instilled this in me, they do this a lot and they would take me with them,” he said. “Seeing how much you can help people and hearing how thankful they are is a great feeling.”
Despite the fact that there wasn’t any lacrosse being played, Cross feels getting together as a team like this will help them come game time.
“Any moment that we can get together will help our chemistry when we are on the field,” he said. “Being friends helps us work together, which will translate on the field.
“This year we have done a lot more off field bonding and this will help us a lot more. It’s not just seniors hanging out; it’s every grade hanging out which will benefit us during the season.”
The Phillylacrosse.com Team of the Week is awarded each week to a team involved in community service or one that demonstrates exceptional contributions in its school community. To nominate a team, e-mail us at golax@phillylacrosse.com
