Eliada Holds Athletics Banquet to Honor Volunteer Coaches and Student Athletes

Participants in Eliada's winter athletics teams were honored on March 5, 2008.

ASHEVILLE – March 2008 – On Wednesday, March 5th, Eliada honored 41 student athletes for participating on Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, and Cross-Country teams. Athletes are students in Eliada’s residential, day treatment, foster care, and afterschool programs.  Each team member received a certificate and medal recognizing their participation; in addition, three students were selected from each team to receive the MVP, Team Spirit, or Coach’s Awards.

Volunteer coaches Beth Young, Kyam Gibran, Amanda Chase, and Kim Bartel were also honored for their service and dedication. According to Laura Elliott, Eliada’s Enhanced Services Director, “All of this year’s coaches are Eliada employees who work with these students everyday in jobs that demand a great deal. In volunteering their time to also coach these athletics teams, they are truly going above and beyond for our students.”

The banquet food and refreshments were made possible through a generous donation from Greenlife Grocery. In keeping with the athletics program’s focus on encouraging a healthy lifestyle, banquet attendees feasted on fresh fruit, vegetables, cheeses, and other snacks donated by the Merrimon Avenue market. 

Athletics are a vital part of Eliada’s enhanced services, which also include equestrian and minibike programs. “Very few of our students have participated in sports before coming to Eliada, and they bring varying levels of experience and skill. Being on a team is extremely important. They learn to work together and support one another throughout each season.  They learn valuable lessons of character that come with playing competitive team sports:  hard work, determination, courage, teamwork, perseverance and sportsmanship,” says Elliott. 

According to this year’s MVP of the girl’s basketball team, “My team becomes like a family to me because we have to support one another and be there for each other.  Playing sports helps to get my aggression out in a healthy way.  It helps me to be a more supportive and helpful person.  It has also helped me to be a better communicator.  I have to work with my teammates to have the best game possible.”

To learn more about Eliada’s athletics teams or how you can support the program, contact Laura Elliott via email: lelliott@eliada.org or via phone: 828.254.5356 x 178.

About Eliada
Eliada is a 105 year old non-profit agency serving North Carolina’s children and families. Founded in 1903 by Dr. Lucius B. Compton as a home for women and children, Eliada’s full service continuum includes NAEYC accredited Child Development Services (Pre School, After School, Summer Camp, More at Four); Residential and Day Treatment for children and adolescents; In Home services; Foster Care and Therapeutic Foster Care; and Therapeutic Recreation services. Learn more about Eliada’s history and services by visiting www.eliada.org. The agency enters its second century with pride, committed to the fulfillment of its mission statement: Helping Children Succeed.