"We ourselves feel what we are doing is only a drop in the ocean...but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop." - Mother Teresa

Wingate, N.C.----The next-to-last Saturday in August is a difference-making day for Wingate University student-athletes and coaches, as they circle their calendars for the United Way Day of Caring (UWDOC). Three hundred-plus student-athletes and coaches volunteered for the UWDOC's 32nd edition, Saturday, August 23.
 
This year's event was a two-part endeavor, as the Wingate men's basketball team's service project at the Union County Teaching Garden was delayed until Saturday, September 20. Twelve teams volunteered for the '25 United Way Day of Caring with baseball and men's lacrosse providing the most volunteers.

United Way Day of Caring ... objectives

- Volunteers assist community members and non-profits with household upkeep and other projects

United Way Day of Caring ... 2025 numbers

- 303 Wingate Athletics' volunteers in 2024
- 50 project sites, primarily helping senior citizens and non-profits

United Way Day of Caring and Wingate University Athletics ... National recognition

- WU Athletics tied for second place in the '22 NCAA D2 Award of Excellence competition
- The Bulldogs were honored for participation in the 28th annual United Way Day of Caring
- The Award of Excellence recognizes initiatives that exemplify the D2 philosophy of community engagement and student-athlete leadership

United Way Day of Caring ... reflections from 11 WU student-athletes
 
Jordan Dixon, baseball
 
The Wingate Baseball team had the opportunity to give back to the community on the United Way Day of Caring on Saturday, August 23. We divided our team into four groups and spent a few hours helping senior citizens with tasks around their house. Between the four groups, we mowed/weeded lawns, washed windows, trimmed bushes, raked leaves and spread mulch. Whether the tasks were simple or a little grueling, they allowed us to distribute the workload among each other to ensure the best work was done.
 
The United Way Day of Caring was a fun day for our team, as we spent time together and contributed to a greater purpose. This day is special and important because we were able to help give back to others and provide for people who are in need. This experience is very meaningful because we know how appreciative community members will be of our help and how much of an impact our work can have on those in need. Our team left with a sense of gratitude and to see the look on the homeowner's face when we were done was heartwarming. We are so grateful that we have the chance to be a part of something special like this every year.
 
Jordan Miller, men's basketball
 
The basketball team and I volunteered at the local teaching garden Saturday, September 20. We spent the day planting, weeding and helping to maintain the space. The service project not only supported the garden's mission of teaching the community about healthy living and sustainability, but also gave us players a chance to build teamwork and leadership skills off the court. We worked side by side, learning the value of hard work and community service, while also gaining a new appreciation for the impact small efforts can have. Their contribution will help ensure the garden continues to provide a positive and educational environment for others.
 
Kyndall Shivers, women's basketball

The United Way Day of Caring is an incredible opportunity for us to be able to give back to the community. Wingate women's basketball had the privilege of working with Union Diversified Industries. UDI is Union County's oldest non-profit serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
 
The women's basketball team greeted UDI and then sat with them as we watched the Wingate volleyball team during a scrimmage. After the scrimmage was over, the women's basketball team got to join in on the fun and assist with a shooting competition and play a few games of floor hockey. We finished the day with lunch and taking pictures with Victor E. Bulldog!
 
It is always a pleasure to work with UDI and maintain those special relationships with them. United Way Day of Caring is a great way to give back to your community and it allows us to not only grow closer as a team but to remember to use our sport and actions for something bigger than ourselves! 
 
Alfie Storer, men's golf

Wingate University student-athletes and coaches once again joined together on Saturday, August 23, to support the annual United Way Day of Caring. The day kicked off with an energetic performance from the Wingate marching band and cheerleaders, lifting spirits before volunteers set out across the community.
 
The Wingate men's golf team was proud to take part in the event by collecting litter throughout the local town and surrounding areas. The Bulldogs recognize how fortunate they are to study, practice and compete at such a beautiful campus in a welcoming community. Giving back through service is a meaningful way to show their appreciation.
 
Quad Williams, men's lacrosse
 
Over my four years at Wingate, Day of Caring has stood out as a tradition that not only strengthens the community but also shapes us as leaders through service. Day of Caring is an amazing tradition at Wingate University because it reflects the heart of the school's mission through service, leadership and community engagement. Furthermore, the tasks I've taken part in have varied, but each experience has shown me how much of a difference we can make when we come together. It is powerful to see how even small acts of service can influence our community and help us begin building lasting relationships with those around us.

Within a team setting, Day of Caring carries even greater significance. It allows student-athletes to set the tone for their peers by leading through action, encouraging teamwork and demonstrating that true leadership is rooted in service. By guiding one another through projects, supporting the community and inspiring teammates to step outside their comfort zones, athletes build both personal character and collective unity. In this way, Day of Caring becomes more than a single event…it is a powerful reminder that leadership and service go hand in hand.
 
Katie Field, women's lacrosse
 
The Wingate women's lacrosse team had the opportunity to come together as a team and participate in the 2025 United Way Day of Caring on Saturday, August 23. We split up into two different groups with two hour-long shifts and volunteered at the Common Heart food pantry in Indian Trail.
 
During this time, we organized the food into different boxes for the community to take for these families in need. We were able to cooperate with "allies" who were able to deliver these food packages to those who did not have the means to come pick it up themselves. In addition, our team had the opportunity to help load up the allies' vehicles with these boxes of food and interact with them face to face. After our teammates completed this, groups of people brought in different food donations for us to divide and organize into different categories. 
 
The United Way Day of Caring was a great opportunity for our team to come together and do something that was bigger than ourselves. We are grateful to be able to give back to the local community and help people in need. This day is always special to us because of the gratitude we feel walking out of that place knowing that we made an impact on other peoples' lives. It was a great experience for all of us and will push us to continue to help out the community.
 
Makenna Freeman, women's soccer
 
We had such a wonderful time at Brookdale Monroe Square Nursing Home for the United Way Day of Caring! We spent the afternoon sitting with the residents, playing bingo and just enjoying each other's company. It was so special to see their faces light up every time someone won a round. The room was filled with laughter and smiles. One resident even shared that it was the most laughter she had heard in a long time, which made the experience even more meaningful for us. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to spend part of our day with them!"
 
Mike Topchanalis, men's swimming
 
During the United Way Day of Caring, the Wingate University swimming team had the privilege of assisting two older members of our community with tasks around their homes. Our group worked together on yardwork, gardening and household chores that had become difficult for them to manage on their own.
 
From trimming bushes and pulling weeds to cleaning areas they could no longer reach, we were grateful for the chance to make their daily lives a little easier. This experience not only improved their living environments, but also allowed us to form meaningful connections and share moments of encouragement with them.
 
Service is a fundamental part of our team's values because it teaches us empathy, responsibility and the importance of working together beyond the pool. Community service strengthens our bonds as teammates while reminding us of the positive difference we can create in the lives of others. Giving back in this way encourages us to remain grounded, grateful for the opportunities we have and committed to continuing to serve our community with compassion and dedication.
 
Grace Wilson, women's swimming
 
Wingate Swimming had the privilege of participating in the United Way Day of Caring, giving us a meaningful opportunity to serve the Wingate/Monroe community. Our team split into two groups, one spent the morning at Mr. Jerry's home, while the other went to Ms. Sylvia's home. We spent the day working around their properties, cleaning windows, trimming bushes and tidying up their gardens.
 
One of the most eye-opening moments came when Mr. Jerry shared that he has been a part of this community for over 50 years. He told heartfelt stories of how, through both good times and challenges, he found unwavering support from those around him. It was an incredibly touching experience. All of us at Wingate Swimming are truly grateful to have been a part of such a special day."
 
Fernanda Castillo, women's tennis
 
The United Way Day of Caring was a really cool experience for our team. We spent the morning at the Wingate Baptist Church Day Care helping out with different projects. We painted walls, cleaned windows and worked on the playground by spreading sand and adding material under the swings to make it safer for the kids.
 
It felt good to give back to the Wingate community that does so much for us. The day also gave us time to come together as a team outside of tennis. It was a fun reminder of how much of an impact we can make when we work side by side.
 
Maya Van Heyst, volleyball
 
The Wingate volleyball team was honored to participate in the 2025 United Way Day of Caring.
We partnered with the women's basketball team to play a volleyball scrimmage for our UDI neighbors, a nonprofit for adults with developmental disabilities. The whole experience was set up to entertain and give back to a community that has had such a positive impact at Wingate.
 
We started off the morning welcoming the UDI participants into Cuddy Arena with some fun music and good vibes. Our coach announced the teams and started play while the women's basketball team prompted cheers from the stands to get the crowd involved, all with some fun music playing in the background.
 
Afterwards, we were able to shake hands, give high fives and take a big group picture together before handing the court over to the women's basketball team. The whole volleyball team reflected that this was such a special way to use our sport for something bigger than ourselves and remind ourselves of the simple joy a game like volleyball can bring.
 
Wingate University
 
Wingate University is a lab of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina and offers 60 degree pathways, including 37 undergraduate majors, 10 pre-professional tracks and five dual-degree programs. Graduate students choose from seven master's and five doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a leader in healthcare education where nearly one in five undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 30 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 17 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.
 
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