Dodgeball to help London homeless

Anyone who loves a good game of dodgeball will have the opportunity to not only play but to help the community at the same time.

On Saturday, November 24, King’s Helping Hands is hosting a dodgeball tournament at Western’s Faculty of Education Gym, at 1137 Western Road. The tournament will begin at 9:00 a.m. and last until 1:00 p.m.

Anyone from King’s, Western or affiliated campuses can take part by forming a team of six to eight players. There is a cost of $5 per player to participate, with all funds raised going towards creating care packages to be handed out to the homeless in London.

Now in its second year, King’s Helping Hands is made up of student volunteers with a mission to help London homeless. In addition to creating and handing out care packages, the students also collect non-perishable goods and volunteer at soup kitchens.

“Most importantly, we show the community that students are working to build a sustainable future for more than just ourselves, but for our community,” Olinda Manuel, President of King’s Helping Hands and a fourth year student completing an Honors Specialization in Political Science, says.

The club has a donation box at the King Student Life Centre stairs going into the library, for all to donate non-perishable foods and clothing. Last Valentine’s Day, King’s Helping Hands arranged for students to buy a candygram to be sent secretly to someone special in their lives.

Following their second annual Dodgeball tournament, they will be selling wristbands for a bar night as a fundraiser and offering students an opportunity to volunteer at local soup kitchens.  

“We have a special event planned for Christmas that is still in the works,” Manuel says.

Currently, there are between 20-30 King’s student volunteers who are part of King’s Helping Hands, with the club looking for faculty and staff to join them.

For more information, visit https://www.kings.uwo.ca/about-kings/visitor-info/calendar-of-events/kings-helping-hands-dodgeball/