Local Athletes Feed Front Line Workers Across Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, MD — They stare down the opposition with intimidating looks while thundering across the field. They swing hefty sticks like it's nothing. They also pool together their compassion and energy outside of their sport to help others during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Members of Storm Chasers field hockey teams travel across Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania competing against other club teams. Some of their tournaments are as far away as Texas. But due to the coronavirus, they've been forced to stay home. But they weren't about to sit idly by and do nothing.

The leaders of the local field hockey club program Storm Chasers found inspiration in a video message released by Olympic medalist Gus Kentworthy. Stephanie Thomson, chief executive officer and U19 coach for the Storm Chasers FHC, told Patch that youth volunteers popped by Cantler's Riverside Inn to buy lunches there that were then delivered to the Glen Burnie Vehicle Emission Inspection Program (VEIP) testing site. The idea was tossed out by Coach Lacey Barry and was deemed a success.

"This has truly been a collaborative effort across our organization, from all our athletes, families, coaches, volunteers and board members. Coaches and board members helped to organize the first VEIP site meal delivery. Players and families donated materials for volunteers to sew masks. Athletes have also submitted graphics to share via our social media platforms to thank our front line workers," Thomson said.

The front line workers at the Glen Burnie VEIP COVID-19 testing site were grateful for the lunch, which included health care workers, law enforcement officers, the Maryland National Guard, and county and state employees.

"It is a very small world, a nurse working at this location is a co-worker with one of our coaches' daughters. Once she saw our team's logo on the lunch bags, she reached out to that family thanking our organization for thinking about them during this time," Thomson said. "Our club is developed around a mission to develop young athletes into awesome human beings. We strive on the lifelong values that include teamwork, discipline, self-motivation, sportsmanship and a well-balanced lifestyle."

The athletic program regularly seeks ways to help athletes support their communities. A portion of their fundraising is set aside for just such efforts. The field hockey club intends to deliver meals to all Maryland VEIP coronavirus testing sites. The club has teamed up with the Bay Hills Swim Team and together they are raising funds to provide meals for all the VEIP coronavirus testing sites across the state.

"Our shared goal is to raise $12,000 through the GoFundMe page. This would provide a meal from a local restaurant once a week for the staff serving at each VEIP COVID-19 testing site," Thomson said.

The athletes also provided Panera bagels and coffee, along with prepared snack bags featuring handwritten messages from the players, coaches and family members, to the procedural care unit staff at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Thomson and an athlete's dad Gary Fritter delivered the items.

A U14 athlete's mom, Maria Moody, happens to be a nurse in this unit, so the donation hit home for the club. The Bay Hills Swim Team also provided coffee and doughnuts to the workers at the Glen Burnie VEIP coronavirus testing site.

To support the local youth athletes in their mission to feed front line workers, visit their GoFundMe page.