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Each year, Wichita State's Athletics Teams are involved with many local and national volunteer organizations in an effort to give back to the community. In addition, coaches, student-athletes and staff speak at a variety of events throughout the state, and the nation. Shocker student-athletes completed more than 1,800 hours of community service in the last academic school year, and continue to give back to the Wichita community and the State of Kansas by donating time to several service-oriented initiatives.
Community Service
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WBCA "Pink Zone"
Kay Yow/Women's Basketball Coaches' Association Initiative
The women's basketball program annually joins more than 900 teams across the nation to raise awareness and money for cancer research in conjunction with the WBCA Pink Zone initiative, which benefits the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund - in partnership with the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
Each February the Shockers participate in the event, and have worn pink jerseys, honored cancer survivors at halftime and have helped raise money and awareness for cancer research for not only national organizations, but local charities as well.
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Toys for Tots
United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation
Wichita State Athletics annually participates in the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, helping collect new and unwrapped toys for distribution as Christmas presents to needy children in the community.
Student-athletes have participated in remote collection sites, while members of the US Marine Corps have also been present at men's basketball games to collect toys for the program.
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Race for the Cure
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
The Wichita State women's basketball program has participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, held each fall near Towne East Mall in Wichita, benefitting breast cancer research.
The Shockers have served as grand marshall for the event, and have also handed bottles of water to runners at the finish line, given out roses to cancer survivors and helped with running the event in recent years as well.
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Shocker Pen Pal Program
Goddard Intermediate School
In its ninth year, The WSU Pen Pal Program allows sixth-graders from
Goddard Intermediate School the chance to develop a friendship with a
WSU student-athlete by writing them a letter once a month. The letters
are forwarded to the pen pals and in return, they write back once a
month. Our hope is for the Wichita State Shocker student-athletes to
help 6th graders become better students by providing leadership and
teaching of what it is like to be a productive person inside and
outside of school. |
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State Farm "Just Read" Program
Missouri Valley Conference/Area Elementary Schools
In conjunction with the State Farm "Just Read" Program, Shocker student-athletes annually make their way into area elementary classrooms to read books to children to help create excitement in reading curriculum.
All 10 Missouri Valley Conference programs participate in the initiative, helping young people throughout the Midwest learn the importance of literacy and the fun that can be involved in reading.
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Shocks, Cops and Kids
Wichita Police, Sedgwick County Sherriff, Kansas SRS Department
The Shocks, Cops and Kids program provides specific tools to local middle-school-aged children to deal with internet safety, while also keeping them healthy and physically fit through a series of clinics throughout the day.
Workshops in basketball, softball, track and field, personal and internet safety, health and nutrition and staying in school are taught by the WSU coaches and student-athletes, officers of the Wichita Police Department, deputies from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department and employees from the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.
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