WAU Men’s Soccer Team Partners with Small Things Matter in Takoma Park Community Initiative
TAKOMA PARK, Md. — The Washington Adventist University (WAU) Men’s Soccer team has launched a new community partnership with the local non-profit organization, Small Things Matter, as part of the university’s “Champions of Character” initiative. The partnership aims to engage student-athletes in volunteer service, provide essential food staples for the campus community, and increase the university’s visibility within the local area.
On a recent afternoon, four members of the WAU Men’s Soccer team assisted Small Things Matter by moving and packing food for distribution. The team’s involvement is part of a broader initiative to instill a sense of responsibility and servant leadership in student-athletes.
“My purpose in partnering is to volunteer our athletes to help Small Things Matter as part of our ‘Champions of Character’ initiative,” said WAU Head Soccer Coach Daniel Carroll. “This partnership allows our athletes to volunteer their time and energy, gain a sense of responsibility, and learn servant leadership.”
In addition to volunteer work, the partnership aims to ensure that WAU athletes and the broader student body have access to essential food staples through the university’s pantry. Small Things Matter will help stock the pantry with fresh produce and other necessities, addressing food insecurity on campus.
The partnership also seeks to make WAU a distribution point for local families in need, providing them with fresh fruit and vegetables directly from the university’s soccer field. This initiative will bring the campus closer to the surrounding community, offering vital support to those who need it most.
Small Things Matter, founded in 2017 by Lana Anderson, an 8th grader at Takoma Park Middle School, focuses on food, literacy, and crafting to support those in need. The organization expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting the mutual benefits it will bring.
“Small Things Matter is excited about partnering with WAU Men’s Soccer and providing their athletes with access to fresh produce and staples,” said Roxanne Yamashita, CEO of Small Things Matter. “We are thrilled to establish a new pick-up and distribution point on the WAU campus and are very grateful for their help through the Champions of Character Initiative to help us move, pack, and distribute food.”
The partnership will see WAU soccer players regularly volunteer at Small Things Matter’s food distribution events, including monthly pantry distributions and weekly food packing and moving sessions. These events will not only support the local community but also reinforce the values of service and leadership within the WAU student body.
As the partnership develops, WAU hopes to continue fostering strong ties with the local community, demonstrating the university’s commitment to service and outreach.
