Eastern Oregon student athletes greet local children.
LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University women’s basketball and softball teams took time
out to attend the Union County Safety Fair Tuesday and Wednesday.
The annual event taught over 1,100 local fourth, fifth and sixth grade students’ valuable safety lessons. The Union County Sheriff’s Office, La Grande Police Department, local National Guard, and La Grande Fire Department were all in attendance at the fair at the Blue Mountain Conference Center.
“The Union County Safe Kids Organization does a terrific job putting together the Safety Fun Fair,” Eastern Oregon women’s basketball coach Anji Weissenfluh said. “We feel very fortunate to be a part of it. My team looks forward to it every year. They have a lot of fun dressing up and greeting the kids.”
The Mountaineer student-athletes dressed up in mascot costumes and greeted children on their way out of the fair. It was quite a treat for the EOU athletes as well as the younger students.
“It was great to see how excited some of the kids were when they saw us in costume,” Eastern softball player Nyssa Salazar said. “As difficult as it was to get into those costumes, I’m glad we did. It was a fun experience.”
The Eastern athletes dressed as McGruff the Crime Dog, Smokey the Bear, and Sparky the Great Fire Dog. All of the children were treated to a lunch and snack during the all day activity.