Cadet athletes give back to community, serve meals at local kitchen

  • Published
  • By Amber Baillie
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Amid trying to pass difficult courses, perform their military duties and attend sports practice every day, cadet athletes here are also setting aside time to make a difference in the Colorado Springs community.

Since last fall, cadet athletes from the women's gymnastics, cheerleading and football teams have spent every Sunday preparing breakfast at the Marian House, a soup kitchen in downtown Colorado Springs. 

"It gives cadets a bigger perspective," said Laura Hutcheon, head cheerleading coach and community service director for the Academy's Athletic Department here. "It takes the focus off of them and allows cadets to interact and serve those who are struggling in the community."

Excluding the summer, two cadet athletes volunteer at the Marian House every Sunday and four cadet athletes serve there every third Sunday. They arrive at the kitchen at 7 a.m. to prepare fresh eggs, bacon, potatoes and coffee for those in need, and stay until 11 a.m. to prepare food for the next day. 

"We also wash dishes, fold aprons, serve meals and help visitors through the line, ensuring they pay 'admission' - which is to wash their hands," said Cadet 3rd Class Daron Williamson, an Academy cheerleader and Marian House volunteer. "I like doing this job because it allows me to hang out with the guests and talk to them about everything from the weather and football, to their time in the military."

Cadet 1st Class Sophia Vasiliadis, a dance team member here, has volunteered eight times at the soup kitchen. She said it's important for every Academy cadet to volunteer in the community because it's an opportunity to support people who support them.

"It's refreshing to take a break from the sometimes crazy, daily routine here and the Marian House is an awesome opportunity to give back," she said. "One of the things I really like about volunteering there is getting to know some of the other volunteers. Many of us volunteered on the second and fourth Sunday each month so we got to work with each other a lot."

The Marian House Soup Kitchen provides hot meals for struggling families, veterans, people with disabilities and the homeless. It's open year-round and feeds about 600 people a day, according to the organization's website.

"I've found that most of the people we serve at the Marian House are extremely gracious and humble," Williamson said. "Most come in with pleasant attitudes, smiles and ask me how I'm doing. They give me life advice so I may be successful, or give me tips on how to dance or work out."

Rochelle Schlortt, Marian House chief communications officer, said the organization wouldn't be able to deliver its mission without its volunteers, including Academy cadets.

"The cadets are always professional, dedicated workers who help us get our meals served on the weekends," she said. "They also clean up the kitchen so our operation is ready to go the following day."

Schlortt said it's great having cadets in the local area, enabling the community to interact with them.

"It's a vibrant operation when cadets volunteer at the kitchen," she said. "They're not afraid of hard work and volunteering allows them to carry out a spirit of service as future Air Force officers."