An off week turns into community service opportunities for Eph X-C teams

On Saturday October 4th, the Williams Cross Country teams ventured beyond their campus environs as usual, but instead of running the dirt roads and trails of the purple valley, they formed groups and volunteered their time at four area locations hoping to build team spirit, a direct connection to the community, and most importantly, lend a hand to businesses, organizations, and the natural habitat that make Williamstown and the surrounding communities a special place.

Twenty-one student-athletes worked the tomato and squash fields of the local Peace Valley Farm. This local family-owned operation serves as a steady source of fresh produce to various entities around the Berkshires and is a favorite summer employer to current and past members of the team, alike. The large contingent saved the farm approximately a month of labor and sped along the end of their harvest and the beginning of next year's planting.

Bret Scofield's WYC soccer stars

Another group of eight joined a mass of 5-to-7 year olds for their Williamstown Youth Soccer practices at the local elementary school. Besides keeping the energetic soccer newbies organized, they joined in on their eclectic warmup of follow-the-leader, short races, and screaming at loud decibels.

A work party also dispatched to a local Habitat for Humanity site just off a steep hill frequented on training runs during the winter. In all, thirteen team members worked on framing and painting walls while getting guidance from several non-team volunteers and experts.

The smallest but most brightly clothed group of seven volunteers, including Head Coach Pete Farwell, took to local Highway 43 to maintain the stretch of road under the team's supervision through the Adopt A Highway program. Numerous trash bags were filled with litter that would have otherwise dirtied this popular route for training and the neighboring Green River. The Eph road crew pictued above (l. to r.) included Rachel Asher '09, Beth Links '09, Robin Kuntz '09, Moira Yoe '10, Corey Watts '10  and head coach Peter Farwell '73.

In all, fifty members of the cross country team and staff lent a hand on their free Saturday morning to help a local farmer with harvesting, local children in building their health, a local family in owning a home, and a local roadway in remaining clean for driving, walking, biking, and running.

Mary Feeley '09 working at the Habit for Humanity house

(l-r) Olivia Delia '12, Mark Springel '12, Anthony Raduazo '12 at Peace Valley Farm in Williamstown