Arizona Western College Foundation

Day of Champions - AWC Receives Assistance

Aug 23, 2008 -- THanks to all who participated in thE 4TH ANNUAL DAY OF CHAMPIONS AUGUST 23RD!!!

Day of Champions August 23, 2008
Arizona Western College is proud to announce that more than 300 volunteers participated in the 4th Annual AWC Day of Champions across Yuma and Imperial Counties August 23rd. Arizona Western College and the Matador Athletic Association salute all of the 339 volunteers that gave their time and energy this morning and afternoon.

Day of Champions August 23, 2008
Day of Champions August 23, 2008 Day of Champions August 23, 2008

186 members of the AWC Athletic Department-the most ever to participate in this event from the department (including AWC Athletic Director Jerry Smith; head coaches Kelly Green, John Stratton, Patrick Cunningham, Angel Shamblin and Tom Minnick; assistant coaches Jerry Dominguez, Lance Von Vogt, Aaron Cheatwood, Jason DeWolf, Billy Glasscock, Tony Mitchell, Justin Jantz, Kyle Isaacs, Marisol Arenivas and Alan Manifold; athletic trainer Megan Guthrie (and 2 student trainers); athletic secretary Cindy Evans, athletic equipment manager Elias Escobar and AWC Sports Information Director Jim Howell) as well as several members of their families...
dsc_3535_6x4_web_day_of_chang.jpg - AWC athletes, staff, and other volunteers performed a variety of community services activities around the Yuma area on the 2nd Annual Day of Champions Saturday August 12, 2006. More than two hundred volunteers participated in the event. dsc_3647_6x4_web_day_of_chang.jpg - AWC athletes, staff, and other volunteers performed a variety of community services activities around the Yuma area on the 2nd Annual Day of Champions Saturday August 12, 2006. More than two hundred volunteers participated in the event. dsc_8800_day_of_champs_6x4_ms_web.jpg - AWC athletes, staff, and other volunteers performed a variety of community services activities around the Yuma area on the 2nd Annual Day of Champions Saturday August 12, 2006. More than two hundred volunteers participated in the event.

...were joined today by over 75 employees of Wal-Mart, 7 from Sam's Club, 4 from Circle K, 3 from Southwest Gas, 10 from Outback Steakhouse as well as approximately 10 members of the AWC facilities staff and photography department, 7 bus drivers, and in a special appearance this year, 40 members of the Australian National Football Team.
dsc_3594_6x4_web_day_of_chang.jpg - AWC athletes, staff, and other volunteers performed a variety of community services activities around the Yuma area on the 2nd Annual Day of Champions Saturday August 12, 2006. More than two hundred volunteers participated in the event. dsc_7258_day_of_champs_6x4_web_.jpg - AWC athletes, staff, and other volunteers performed a variety of community services activities around the Yuma area on the 2nd Annual Day of Champions Saturday August 12, 2006. More than two hundred volunteers participated in the event. dsc_8784_day_of_champs_6x4_ms_web.jpg - AWC athletes, staff, and other volunteers performed a variety of community services activities around the Yuma area on the 2nd Annual Day of Champions Saturday August 12, 2006. More than two hundred volunteers participated in the event.

The volunteers dug in and handled 34 different community projects for non-profit agencies throughout Yuma, Wellton, Somerton, the Foothills and even El Centro, California, over the span of just six hours. Agencies such as American Red Cross-Imperial Valley Chapter, Saddles of Joy, City of Yuma Parks & Recreation, Arizona Children’s Association, the EXCEL Group, the Robert J. Moody Demonstration Garden, the Yuma Conservation Garden, the Yuma WORC Center, the AWC Foundation, Crossroads Mission, Habitat for Humanity, the Yuma Community Food Bank, the Salvation Army, the East County Guardian Angels, Greater Yuma Helping Hands and the Town of Wellton opened the doors, gates, windows, and even shut down a street or two to allow the volunteers to help them complete some very crucial tasks.
dsc_7306_day_of_champs_6x4_amg_web_.jpg - AWC athletes, staff, and other volunteers performed a variety of community services activities around the Yuma area on the 2nd Annual Day of Champions Saturday August 12, 2006. More than two hundred volunteers participated in the event. dsc_8815_day_of_champs_6x4_ms_web.jpg - AWC athletes, staff, and other volunteers performed a variety of community services activities around the Yuma area on the 2nd Annual Day of Champions Saturday August 12, 2006. More than two hundred volunteers participated in the event. dsc_7275_day_of_champs_6x4_amg_web_.jpg - AWC athletes, staff, and other volunteers performed a variety of community services activities around the Yuma area on the 2nd Annual Day of Champions Saturday August 12, 2006. More than two hundred volunteers participated in the event.

“I’m not sure how it happened, but this year’s event was easily the most efficient one we’ve ever had,” said AWC Athletic Director Jerry Smith. “By 8:30 in the morning, there were several of our groups calling to find out what other jobs they could help with since they were done with their first one, and by 11AM, almost all of the projects were completed. It’s just amazing to see what people-many of whom don’t even know each other going in-can do when they stand side-by-side with one goal in mind.”