The York Lions varsity student-athletes and York Athletics and Recreation brought some holiday joy to seven local families this year through the Christmas Adopt-a-Family program.
 
Led by the York Sport Council executive team and supported by team reps from the Lions varsity sports, the Lions collected more than $6,000 in money, gift cards, and donations during a two-week period in December to give to seven local families in need.
 
"This year marks the fourth year of the adopt-a-family initiative and with a new executive team on Sport Council we were very excited to continue the program," said Sport Council President Duan Yates-Parchment.  "There has been no greater feeling in the world than to know that our very own Lion Pride was able to take on more families and allow us to make such an impact on our community. Looking ahead we can't wait to do this again and continue to spread love and joy in the years to come."
 
Run through the Jane and Finch Community Centre, the adopt-a-family program focuses on helping families in need enjoy a special holiday season. The focus of the program is to provide warm clothing, bedding, boots, cooking items, and toys for children. This year York Athletics and Recreation administration also adopted their own family for the first time.
 
The fundraising and donations would not have been made possible without help of the York Sport Council Executive team, including Parchment, Tara Leithead (Vice President), Sabah Kalim (Internal Events), Frankie St. Louis (Community Engagement), Jenna Gray (Special Events), and Sara Vollmerhausen (Varsity Events).
 
The Varsity team representatives who were instrumental in this year's adopt-a-family program included Emily Goodwin (Track & Field), Avery Reeves (Hockey), Malik Langston (Football), Mary Adarkwa (Wrestling), Toure Nwakwesi (Volleyball), Theresa Skubic (Volleyball), Aryanne Hart-Dixon (Tennis), Isiah Scipio (Basketball), Alysha Pinck (Basketball), Ola Olatoye (Soccer), Rae-Lynn Parkins (Rugby), Nick Zottl (Hockey), Kendra Kerr (Field Hockey), and Michael Argyrides (Soccer).