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As the Spirit Director and Head Cheer Coach of Columbia College Spirit Programs, Danniele Liles is dedicated to fostering excellence in her students—not only as athletes but also as individuals with service-based values.
Four years ago, under her leadership, the Columbia College Cheer and Dance teams began volunteering in The Food Bank’s Volunteer Room, where they help repackage food for distribution. This initiative aligns with their participation in the NAIA Champions of Character program, which focuses on core values such as Servant Leadership.
For Coach Liles, The Food Bank provided an opportunity to bring this principle to life, allowing her athletes to make a tangible difference in their community while adopting the spirit of servant leadership.
“I know what an incredibly important resource this organization is to so many people in the community, and anything we can do as a program to contribute to the good work going on is a win in my book,” says Coach Liles.
The convenience of The Food Bank's self-scheduling system has been an added benefit for the Columbia College Cheer and Dance teams as well. As the teams have grown in size, online scheduling has allowed them to maintain their volunteer efforts despite their busy calendars and even expand the time team members spend in the Volunteer Room.
“I work most nights, so I'm usually unable to attend The Food Bank with the rest of my team. Since I often go by myself, I’ll invite a friend to come with me,” says Annie Lemerande, a senior on the Columbia College Dance Team.
Annie adds that while her friends might not always be enthusiastic about volunteering at first, they consistently leave loving the experience and often return later.
“The other volunteers are always extremely kind and welcoming, and I always leave feeling like I’ve made 10 new friends!” Annie says.
For Coach Liles, having her team members volunteer at The Food Bank creates a meaningful connection to her own service journey.
“I started volunteering at The Food Bank as a college student here at Columbia College, and it's really special to see my students enjoy the experience as much as I did. Hopefully, we can continue to spread the message that volunteering is not only good for your community but good for you too,” she says.
The Food Bank is incredibly grateful to Coach Liles and every Columbia College Cheer and Dance team member for giving their time to help neighbors in our local communities who are facing hunger. Together, we’re creating an impact that lasts generations!