By Maddy Bowen '26 / Sports Information Staff
 
WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- The month of March is recognized by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) as Athletic Training Month. A time for athletes, coaches, and the broader communities to specially recognize all athletic trainers, regardless of the level they provide their services to. It's also an opportunity for advocacy, as not many people understand exactly what Athletic Training entails. This year, the theme is "From Head to Toe," and the Eastern Athletic Trainers are taking this time to give back to the community, not just their athletes.
 
Julie Alexander and Tom Holton serve on numerous on-campus committees, working toward making Eastern a better place for students and athletes alike. They
both decided that they wanted to start focusing their efforts on serving the community of Willimantic. While brainstorming in the office, they talked to the head men's rugby
coach Ray Aramini, who also volunteers much of his time at the Covenant Soup Kitchen. From the Covenant Soup Kitchen website:
"Realizing that people can be impoverished physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, socially and financially, Covenant Soup Kitchen provides food and access to basic services in an environment of care, love, support and safety to those individuals and families from the greater Windham community who come through our doors. We rely on the generosity of the community and its faith to help us carry out this mission."
 
Aramini explained to them the specific needs that the volunteers are looking for to aid the local community. After learning about this, the whole Athletic Training staff got
to work planning their "Head To Toe Drive."

They are asking students, faculty, staff, or anyone who wants to donate, to bring in their items to the sports center, where boxes will be set out for these items. Any food
items should be unopened and unexpired, and clothing should be clean and in good condition.