MOSCOW, Idaho – Basketball season is in full swing for the Idaho Vandals Women's basketball team, which also brings the holiday season. This year's squad is not just focused on what happens on the court but off the court as well through giving back to the community. Throughout the month of December, the team has volunteered and participated in several community service projects around the Moscow area.

"Our players are always very cognizant of going out and giving back in the community," said Head Coach Jon Newlee.  "They understand that they are role models and they just love to go out and interact, especially with the kids, and share their time with them, along with giving back."

On Dec. 7^th the team along with the University of Idaho Student Athlete Advisory Council partnered with Palouse Cares for the "largest food drive in the Palouse."

Palouse cares is a local non-profit organization with the goal to ensure that local children are fed, cared for, educated, and supported.

Many Vandals, including the women's basketball team, volunteered their time at the food drive collecting items for families in Latah and Whitman counties.

"Community service is important to me because they support us so much and it is important to show our support back," said Natalie Klinker. "Doing things like the food drive are important in order to show that we support our community."

 According to Idaho Welfare the poverty rate in Latah County is 22.5 percent and 28.4 percent in Whitman County. The goal of Palouse Cares is to counteract this problem through different community service projects such as the food drive.
"We are leaders in our community," said Nina Carlson "It starts with us to get other members of the community to join us participate in giving back."

In addition to the food drive, members of the team also volunteered their time during the holiday season by spending time with children in the Moscow community. Over the course of three days from Dec. 9^th-11^th, members of the team visited Russell Elementary during recess time to play and have fun with the kids.

"They really enjoy going out like when they went to the elementary schools and doing all the different things that they do around Moscow and the surrounding areas," said Newlee. "I think that is important to them. I know growing up they had those same things happen I think, and they just really feel like it's part of being an athlete here and a member of our women's basketball team."

The team also partnered with Christmas For Kids, by donating and wrapping presents for underprivileged kids this holiday season. "I think it's great to give back to the kids of our own community," said Caitlyn Jones. "It is important to provide a good representation of what they want to be when they grow up."

Each team member bought and wrapped presents for two kids to have on Christmas.

 "We've always had a strong culture of going out in the community and giving back," said Newlee "I think that our team is such great givers and such great people that they just really enjoy the time that they can go out and give back to the community."

You can join the team in giving back this holiday season by participating in a "Re-Gift Exchange" on Dec. 28^th at the Idaho vs. Idaho State Women's Basketball game at 2 p.m. Fans are encouraged to bring items they may have received for Christmas that they don't want and donate them for less fortunate families in the area. Idaho is partnering with Palouse Cares to make sure those items get to the right people to help families. For donating, fans will receive a coupon for 25% off their next purchase at the Vandal Store.