Athens Track and Field wins Milk Grant, raises funds for Community

The Troy Athens High School track and field team was recently awarded a chocolate milk grant from the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, and the team balanced their season with competing and giving back to the community.

The team used chocolate milk as their recovery beverage during this season because it contains the right three to one mix of carbohydrates and protein scientifically shown to help refuel muscles. In fact, it helps restore muscles quickly to their peak potential and helps replenish what the body has lost during exercise.

Athens track and field coaches Tom Cook, Mark Hayes, and Shawn DuFresne are grateful for the grant.

“We are always emphasizing proper nutrition with our student athletes,” DuFresne said. “We’re thankful we can promote good health to our kids.”

Grant recipients were encouraged to raise funds for a food bank to purchase milk, one of the most requested items, and the team recently donated $130 to the Troy People Concerned Food Pantry located at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Troy. The pantry, which relies strictly on donations of the parish and the local community, assists all city residents.

“I am proud of our runners and families for helping others,” Cook said.

“This donation from the Athens track and field team allows us to send home milk to families experiencing hardship,” Kim Houseman, Christian Service Outreach Director at St. Anastasia, said. “Without these donations our families would go without milk on a regular basis.”

Half of the families have children of elementary ages, middle school, and high school, according to Houseman.

The Athens boys and girls track and field teams train together, and are led by senior captains Brendan Daly, Khalil Drone, Andrew Linden, Ben Maher, Josh Slimak, Ava Davis, Ava Levy, and Emma Taylor, as well as juniors Brooke Lee and Natalie Stangis.

“I feel honored that we, even as high schoolers, are able to make a difference in people’s lives,” Linden said. “I know the impact we’re making will matter to those who need assistance.”

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PICTURE PROVIDED BY TROY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Milk donation photo:

Troy Athens High School track and field captains recently presented a monetary donation raised by the team for the purchase of milk to parish receptionist Florence Parent of St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Troy, where the Troy People Concerned Food Pantry is housed. From left to right: senior Ava Levy, junior Natalie Stangis, (Florence Parent), senior Andrew Linden, senior Brendan Daly, and senior Khalil Drone.

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