Women's Basketball Wins Prestigious "Work of Heart" Award

May 19, 2014

May 19, 2014

SF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gainesville, FL – Coach Chanda Stebbins and the 2013-14 women's basketball team were recently honored by Alachua County as the Santa Fe College recipient of the E.T. York Work of Heart Award.

With more than 60 nominations, the E.T. York Work of Heart Awards recognized exemplary Alachua County volunteers at a reception on April 30. Guests and nominees were welcomed by Mick Hubert, "The Voice of the Gators." Out of the 62 nominations only 18 individuals, local organizations or businesses received an award in the possible 12 categories.  The women's basketball team won for the Santa Fe Collegiate Group.

Dr. E.T. York is the namesake of the E.T. York Work of Heart Awards and of the Haven Hospice E.T. York Care Center in Gainesville. In 1968, Dr. York was asked by President Nixon to serve on the newly formed board of directors of the National Center for Volunteer Action. He then spearheaded the formation of the Volunteer Action Center in Alachua County and became the first board president. Since 1971 the Work of Heart Awards has honored the volunteers in Alachua County and the impact they make.

The Saints went above and beyond with their volunteer efforts this season, and Coach Stebbins credits the team with giving the effort to make a difference in their community.

"I think it is very important to make a difference in the lives of those around you," said Stebbins.  "I strive every day to make a difference for our players and I think it is important for them to make a difference for those around them.  For the players it becomes addictive behavior.  Helping others, making a difference for others is fun and benefits both groups and it is enjoyable for me to see them look forward to the next community event.  This year was especially fun as the players began to suggest ideas themselves that we pursued.  The backpack idea was all driven by them.  We were fortunate to have seen a table at Catholic Charities promoting the weekend backpack program and our players thought they really wanted to get involved in it somehow."

SF Women's Basketball volunteered with the following organizations:

• Basketball Clinic (ran practice drills and answered questions) for Fort Clarke Middle School
• Helped hand out awards at the Sidney Lanier annual basketball awards banquet
• Provided small basketball clinic at Porters Community Fair
• Hosted over 60 girls from Girls Place for a clinic at Santa Fe
• Basketball clinic at Lake Forest Elementary School
• Helped deliver canned goods from campus food drive on behalf of office of civic engagement to Catholic Charities food drive
• Hosted a free basketball clinic at Santa Fe for all interested children
• Basketball clinic at the Boys/Girls Club for over 70 kids
• Organized a food drive to collect food at a game and helped pack over 200 backpacks for Catholic Charities  weekend meals program
• Spoke and signed autographs at The Villages

Portions of this release courtesy of Amanda Hernandez.  Photo credit Santa Fe College.

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