NU players finish with their Christmas shopping.
Eagles Take Time to Help Others
KIRKLAND, Wash. - Monday is usually a practice day for the Northwest University Eagle men's basketball team, but this past Monday, the team took a break from the court and took some time to help others for the holidays.
The team headed out during their practice time and did some Christmas shopping to help out families in need of some assistance and to help make the holidays a little more pleasant for them. Eagle players donated not only their time, but donated funds to help purchase gifts for children and food for Christmas dinners.
It all came about through a conversation between Eagle head coach John Van Dyke and DJ Vick, former NU assistant, who is now an associate pastor with Eastside Foursquare Church in Bothell, Wash. He mentioned to Coach Van Dyke their Help the Hungry program and the critical need to help those less fortunate especially during the holidays. Coach Van Dyke then brought the subject up with the team and they decided to take action to help make the holidays more enjoyable for some families in the area.
"I'm really proud of our guys and the way they jumped at the opportunity to help people in our community," commented Coach Van Dyke. "They've realized the importance of selflessness on the court and, more importantly, the significance of it in life as well."
The gifts and food were delivered to DJ Vick the following day and immediately went out to families for the holidays.
Taking part in the shopping spree were NU players Tyson Christie, Daley Landon, Greg George, Greg Peters, Nathan Downs, Rich Skillman, Tyler Mendezona, Jordan Call, Ahmaad Cook, Michael Greene, Jason Waltman, Taylor Cliett, Stedman Richardson, and the NU coaching staff.