National Governing Bodies Participate in Food Drive

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — In the spirit of competition and the desire to help others in the community, several sports National Governing Bodies (NGBs) participated in a food drive that helped stock shelves for the Thanksgiving holiday.

USA Luge won the "2009 Food Drive Throwdown" by collecting 16,803 pounds of food, which will impact hundreds of lives. The total sets a new standard of excellence in what has become an annual friendly food drive challenge among the NGBs and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) community.

"It was fun and a lot of people got into the spirit of giving," said USA Luge CEO/Executive Director Ron Rossi in regards to his organization's efforts in the food drive. "While Lake Placid-proper has weathered the economic storm on a level similar to most locales, the immediate surrounding areas are another matter and are quite depressed. When we met with the Director of the Charities program here in Lake Placid, she said her numbers of people asking for help has never been higher, and in the run up to Thanksgiving, they had already emptied out their stock of items. They were extremely concerned about where they would get their next batch of supplies for the next few days and in the lead up into Christmas.....and then the Throwdown donation appeared."

"Congratulations, and thank you to everyone that contributed to this year's Food Drive Throwdown," said USA Volleyball Coordinator of Boys' and Men's Program Development/Collegiate & Scholastic Grant Administrator Jeff Mosher, who helped spearhead the food drive challenge. "However, not a single organization comes close to having such an impactful role in this challenge as USA Luge. As they prepare for Gold Medal results in Vancouver, its drive for success overflows into every challenge they face throughout their organization.  Amazing awaits for USA Luge and for the recipients of their kind generosity. In true Olympic Spirit USA Luge will impact hundreds of people with their staggering contribution of 16,803 pounds of food."

USA Volleyball, the two-time defending champion of the food drive, collected a record amount for its organization with a donation equaling 6,850 pounds for second place.

"USA Volleyball not only challenged the other NGB's to the Food Drive Throwdown, but also issued the challenge to each of its 40 Regional Volleyball Associations throughout the country," Mosher said. "Many of these offices then passed the challenge on to the individual clubs. The impact of this simple food drive will literally touch thousands of lives this holiday season.  It is a true testament of the thoughtful and caring spirits of all those involved in USA Volleyball. Many families will have a brighter holiday season because of the efforts of everyone involved in the Food Drive Throwdown. All of us here at USA Volleyball were proud to be a part of it."

USA Triathlon collected 1,935 pounds of food for the drive's bronze medal. USA Wrestling followed with 1,270 pounds of food. USA Table Tennis added 300 pounds of food donated to the St. Patrick's Food Pantry.

Contact: Bill Kauffman
USA Volleyball Manager of Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: bill.kauffman@usav.org