Hempstead, NY - Hofstra student-athletes have been active in community service efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

On Saturday, November 3, the Hofstra Softball team traveled to Long Beach. Team members joined with the United States Army and helped sort and distribute donated goods to families in need. Student-athletes also helped in the removal of furniture and other items from houses that were destroyed by the flooding.

On Saturday, November 3, student-athletes from the baseball, cross country and men's tennis teams visited the Island Harvest Food Bank in Uniondale. Volunteers helped unload trucks and sorted donated food items into care packages that were distributed to those affected by the hurricane. On that day alone, more than 97,000 meals were distributed thanks to the efforts of our student-athletes and other volunteers.

Hofstra University hosted its Annual Blood Drive on Wednesday, November 7. Long Islanders came out in droves to donate their time and efforts to the Long Island Blood Center, which is in dire need of donations after Hurricane Sandy. Donors braved the elements from a snowstorm and set a Hofstra Blood Drive record of more than 300 donors. More than 60 student-athletes, coaches and administrators donated blood, while dozens more volunteered throughout the day and helped in a variety of ways.

All week long the Hofstra University Department of Athletics has been answering the call of Taylor Albright, a member from our women's lacrosse program, who along with her teammates has set-up a clothing drive. Donations are continuing to pour in. Early next week coaches and team members will distribute collected items to Long Island families in need. Please continue to bring clothing donations to Coach Shannon Smith's office, located on the second floor of Margiotta Hall. We are asking that all donations please be in by Friday, November 9.

More events over the next week are planned to aid in relief efforts. For any student-athletes or administrators with ideas on how we can get more involved, please feel free to contact James Lally at 516-463-6749 to help organize your efforts.