The men's basketball team recently visited CHaD, the Ray School and the Haven
By: Rick Bender
HANOVER, N.H. — With nearly six weeks between the fall and winter terms, the Dartmouth men's basketball team has plenty of time to focus on basketball. But the players are also taking time out of their schedule to connect with groups in the community at the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD), the Ray School and the Upper Valley Haven.
The Big Green collected teddy bears and other stuffed animals that were donated during their game against Maine and made the trek to CHaD, visiting current patients. They also helped organize the toy room from which families were able to pick to give to their children for Christmas.
The team captains — senior Guilien Smith, and juniors James Foye and Ian Sistare — later returned to CHaD as part of the Mega Celebration. The trio participated in an arts and crafts station for kids and families, painting snowmen and ornaments.
The Big Green also stopped in at the Ray School to read to a third-grade class during the school day.
A trip to the Upper Valley Haven — a community services center for those in need — had the student-athletes building gingerbread houses with the children. The team got its competitive juices flowing by playing with the kids outside before inviting them to attend a game or practice later this season.
Dartmouth (8-5) is back in action on Friday at 11 a.m. when the Big Green play at Bryant (2-7) in a game that will be streamed live on NEC Front Row.