Sooners Deliver Meals on Wheels

Nov. 28, 2007

NORMAN, Okla. -- The day after a 79-42 win against North Texas in the Sooners' home opener, OU's women's basketball team used its day off to give back to the community as its players hit the streets of Norman to deliver food to the needy in conjunction with Meals on Wheels of Norman, Inc.

In groups of two, student-athletes were assigned delivery routes during Wednesday's lunch hour. They drove boxes of shelf-stable, non-perishable items to Meals on Wheels clients.

When the student-athletes showed up to deliver meals, residents were quite surprised, said Lynn Haynes, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Norman.

"We've had so many clients that thought it was so special to receive a visit from the women they so often watch on their television competing in the Big 12," Haynes said. "So many of our clients are homebound and our volunteer driver is their only outside interaction each day.

"When people in the community, especially 'sports heroes' take time out to visit and talk to them, it really does make their day and shows that the community cares for them."

Beginning in September, the team members delivered weekend meals to the ill, disabled, and elderly of the Norman community. The team will continue delivering the weekend meals at least once per month and have the opportunity to visit with the Meals on Wheels clients.

The OU women's basketball team has had a long relationship with volunteer efforts in the community, but this is the first season the team had participated in Meals on Wheels.

When the student-athletes returned to the Meals on Wheels office to deliver the meals in October, the team expressed they had a fun experience and really enjoyed the interaction with the clients.

"Our team enjoys our participation with Meals on Wheels because they can see the necessity of their service," OU head coach Sherri Coale said. "I think we all have a really soft spot in our hearts for those who are confined to their homes for physical reasons but who fight daily for their independence. We see the difference we can make in assisting with food service and we also see the importance of that human connection. Our players always feel as if they are the ones receiving after a day of deliveries."

Meals on Wheels is a United Way agency that delivers approximately 285 nutritious, noontime meals to the ill, disabled, and elderly of the Norman community, Monday through Friday. All meals are free of charge and provided by funds from the United Health Grant for the remainder of 2007.

Meals on Wheels has 19 delivery routes that service clients in the Norman city limits.

"Meals on Wheels is grateful to the OU women's basketball team for their willingness to assist our organization in delivering the weekend meals each month," Haynes said. "It's wonderful when our local celebrities are willing to help the area non-profits to fulfill a need in the community."

For more information about Meals on Wheels of Norman, please contact the Meals on Wheels office at (405) 321-7272, by email at mealsonwheels99@hotmail.com or visit the web site at www.csbi.org/mow.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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