College Sports Information Directors of America

from Ryan Klinkner (Saint John’s University, Minn.), Vice-Chair of CoSIDA Goodwill and Wellness Committee

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Attendees at the 2012 CoSIDA Convention in June once again showed their generosity, raising nearly $4,000 and gathering over 600 items, ranging from clothing and shoes to toiletries, for St. Patrick Center in St. Louis.

The timing was perfect for St. Patrick Center, as they were attempting to meet fundraising goals of their own before June 30’s end to the fiscal year.

The CoSIDA Goodwill and Wellness Committee coordinated three events during the convention to benefit St. Patrick Center. A record 113 participants raised $1,171 in the second annual CoSIDA 5K run/walk, while CoSIDA members donated over 400 items when they checked in at registration. For the third time in four years, the committee then scheduled a three-hour, on-site service project.

Young CoSIDA donated more than 200 new t-shirts, on top of the items donated by convention registrants, and the group’s annual Hair of the Duck Charity Raffle raised an additional $2,800 for the St. Patrick Center.

“This was another outstanding community outreach and effort by our CoSIDA members, and I want to give special thanks to the Goodwill and Wellness Committee for their amazing commitment and work on behalf of assisting the St. Patrick Center,” noted 2011-12 CoSIDA President Tom Di Camillo (Pac West Conference). "In particular, the work of committee chair Sam Atkinson of Gallaudet and vice-chair Ryan Klinkner of Saint John's in Minnesota is to be commended. We appreciate the annual efforts of the Young CoSIDA group as well for their generous support and donations from their annual CoSIDA Convention raffle. These efforts demonstrate why CoSIDA members are among the most generous in college athletics with their time and resources at an annual convention."

For the third straight year, the CoSIDA Goodwill and Wellness Committee ran a clothing donation drive during Saturday’s (June 23) registration timeframe where members were able to drop off clothing and toiletries for St. Patrick Center.

CoSIDA 5K Run/Walk

The 2012 CoSIDA 5K run/walk was held on Sunday, June 24, at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, home of the Gateway Arch. The Goodwill and Wellness Committee operated registration, both on Saturday afternoon and on-site Sunday morning, and collected $10 per individual and $20 per family.Tara Creamer, the St. Patrick Center’s Director of Corporate and Community Development, shared the organization’s background with the participants and served as the race’s honorary starter.

For the second consecutive CoSIDA 5k run/walk, the first runner to cross the finish line was the Goodwill and Wellness Committee’s own Jeremy Rosenthal of the College of Charleston, who ran the two-lap course in 20 minutes, 40 seconds. Steven Schoon from Marshall University (21:05) and Jim Strick from Neenah (Wis.) H.S. (21:12), formerly of the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, followed in second and third, respectively.

The first woman runner to finish was Sara Eisenhauer from Macalester College in 24:39. Fumi Kimura and Stacey Shackleford from UC-Irvine tied for second in 30:52. The top walkers in the event were, on the men’s side, Joe Carmany of Liberty University (35:47), while Romanda Noble from South Carolina State University was the first female walker to cross the finish line in 48:51.

The top family in the 5K was the Emberleys (Tom, Jennifer and Tyler) from Queens College. For the second year in a row, all of the category recipients listed above received prizes from the Rose Bowl Game at Tournament of Roses courtesy of Rose Bowl media coordinator Stephanie Montano.

A total of 20 people donated over 40 hours of service to St. Patrick Center on Tuesday, June 26. Following a tour from Volunteer Coordinator Kristen Bracken, volunteers participated in tasks ranging from daycare to office work, to staffing and organizing the organization’s basement store, stocked full of donations.

Young CoSIDA and Its Annual Raffle and Donation

Young CoSIDA (YC) ran its charity raffle for the fourth consecutive year Tuesday evening at Over/Under Bar with 100 percent of the proceeds donated to St. Patrick Center. Over the first three years, YC raised $1,500 for community outreach and nearly doubled that in St. Louis.

“The Goodwill and Wellness Committee would like to thank all CoSIDA members that donated their time, money and items at the convention to help St. Patrick Center,” said Klinkner. “It was a busy few days for us but at the end of the day it was rewarding to know all of our efforts benefited a great cause. We look forward to the 2013 convention and continuing our excellent goodwill and wellness efforts.”

The CoSIDA Goodwill Committee is already planning for the 2013 convention in Orlando where they will continue with its charitable events; donation drive, return of a service project, charity raffle with Young CoSIDA and exploring sites for a third 5K run/walk. If you are interested in becoming a member of the CoSIDA Goodwill Committee or have questions about our efforts please e-mail Sam Atkinson, chair, at sam.atkinson@gallaudet.edu.

About St. Patrick Center

The St. Patrick Center’s mission is to provide opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals and families build permanent, positive change in their lives through safe and affordable housing, sound mental and physical health, and employment and financial stability. For more information about the St. Patrick Center please log onto its website www.stpatrickcenter.org or call (314) 802-0700.

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