Dr. Kent Fuchs (left) awarded Grace McLaughlin with a 2016 UF Presidential Service Award Tuesday evening.
Gymnast Grace McLaughlin receives UF Presidential Service Award
Tuesday, March 29, 2016 | Gymnastics
Share:
By: Lindsey Spatola, UAA
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida sophomore gymnast Grace McLaughlin is a recipient of a 2015-2016 UF Presidential Service Award. She joined the other honorees Tuesday evening at the Former UF President's Home for the reception.
About the Award: The UF Presidential Service Award recognizes students who have made outstanding efforts towards community service and too often go unrecognized and unrewarded for their selfless labor. UF President Dr. Kent Fuchs presented an award certificate to each recipient.
McLaughlin is the fourth Gator student-athlete to receive this honor. Her teammate, Bianca Dancose-Giambattisto, was honored at the 2015 reception. Football's Michael McNeely and track & field's Brittany Koziara were honored at the 2014 reception. This is the fourth year for the Presidential Service Award.
Her volunteer contributions: Since August of 2015, McLaughlin has collected more than 225 hours of community service, including more than 160 hours with the Florida Diabetes Camp. The Florida Diabetes Camp aims to provide a safe, fun camp environment for children with type 1 diabetes. She attended the camp in the summer of 2015 and helped provide a fun camp experience for the children. Grace McLaughlin (left) at the 2014 Climb for Cancer event - a morning of games and activities with children suffering or recovering from cancer. Since the summer of 2015, McLaughlin has contributed more than 225 community service hours, earning her a UF Presidential Service Award.In addition, McLaughlin joined her teammates at the annual "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk" in October of 2014 and 2015. The walk aims to bring awareness to the fight against breast cancer. The Gator gymnastics team encouraged the participants and cheer them as they finish the walk. She also joined her team at their annual Harvest Food Drive, an event where food is collected and donated to local food banks. Aspiring gymnasts spend the afternoon at a gymnastics clinic with the Gator gymnastic team and coaches. Admission is five non-perishable food items and more than 1,000 pounds of food was donated at the 2015 event.
McLaughlin also participated in "Climb for Cancer"- an event where UF student-athletes play games and different sports with children who have cancer. McLaughlin volunteered at local elementary and middle school to work with the students. She also volunteered at the UF Health to participate in Caleb's Pitch Syringe Art Painting, where student-athletes and pediatric patients at Shands paint canvases with syringes full of paint. McLaughlin participates in Baby Gator Field Day, where Baby Gators and their families race through obstacles and play outside.
