January 15, 2009 -- WOMEN'S TENNIS VOLUNTEERS AT THE HAVEN
by Jeff Friedman, Jaeger Civic Intern
The Dartmouth Women's Tennis Team has given a lot of time to the Upper Valley Community in recent months. They have made it a commitment
to visit the Upper Valley Haven every month. The Haven serves as a shelter for homeless families - those in need of food, clothes, and support. Typically, the Women on the team will help play with and look after children whose parents are busy working or searching for work. Similarly, the women have decorated Christmas ornaments and helped fill the food pantry for the holidays. It has been a great bonding experience for the team to realize how lucky they are and to help less fortunate people. Julia Zak, a '10, has loved her time at the Haven and sees it as “a good experience because we get to learn what life for some people is unfortunately like in the upper valley region outside of the Dartmouth bubble.” Co-Captain Jamie Caplan '09 also described how the time that the women spend at the Haven is meaningful to the families who rely on the Haven for every day needs. Caplan sees the team's time at the Haven as “a great opportunity for the parents of these kids to have some free time while we give the kids opportunities they normally wouldn't have. It's been meaningful to the team because it's a great way to show that Dartmouth, specifically Dartmouth athletics, really cares about the surrounding community, but even more importantly it's great to see how just a little bit of our time is so appreciated by the families at the Haven.”
Many women on the team stressed the importance of understanding life outside of the typical Dartmouth community where Dartmouth students have so many opportunities at their side. Co-Captain Jesse Adler '10 stressed how important the Haven is to the development of their team because, “we get to help out in multiple capacities and see our work with immediate results. We decorated Christmas ornaments before Christmas and have helped load their food pantry. Being able to do something in the Upper Valley community that is not directly related to Dartmouth is beneficial for everyone involved." Georgiana Smyser '11 was also very ecstatic about how the Haven has shaped her experience as a member of the Dartmouth Athletic community. She discussed how, “getting the opportunity to work at the Haven is just another example of how Dartmouth Athletics has enriched my life off the court.” Smyser continued to elaborate that, “seeing the hardships that many of these families endure, many of whom often have small children to provide for, reminded us how important places like the Haven are to our society. We had so much fun doing things with the kids from going on a hay ride in October, to making Christmas decorations in November. Being able to give back to the Upper Valley through the Haven has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my Dartmouth career, and none of it would have been possible without the support of Dartmouth Athletics.”
Ultimately, the Women's Tennis team has had great experiences at the Haven and it has been just as meaningful as their practices and matches. Their volunteer work at the Haven shows the commitment of Dartmouth students, particularly Dartmouth athletes, helping to better serve the Upper Valley Community.
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