The 2018 Harvest Food Drive participants show their Gator chomp before the clinic began. The 2018 Harvest Food Drive drew 1,004 pounds of contributions to benefit a local food bank.
Half Ton of Donations for Gator Gymnastics Harvest Food Drive Benefit Community
108 young gymnasts joined the Gators Saturday afternoon for an afternoon of skills & fun to benefit a local food bank
By: Mary Howard
GAINESVILLE, Fla. –They came from the First Coast and the Sun Coast with many cities in between represented Saturday afternoon in the University of Florida gymnastics training facility.
The facility filled with 108 gymnasts from across Florida joining the Gator gymnasts for a clinic combining skills and fun, while also helping fill a local food bank. The contributions of the many young gymnasts at the 2018 Harvest Food Drive tallied 1,004 pounds of food donated to a Gainesville food bank.
Saturday was the Gator gymnastics' 21st Annual Harvest Food Drive. As their admission, the participants each donated six canned or dry food items. Those donations tallied 1,004 pounds, now added to Gainesville's Bread of the Mighty Food Bank.
"What an enjoyable afternoon! For all these young gymnasts to come out on a rainy afternoon to help this cause is touching. What a show of holiday spirit by all of today's participates to donate so much food to help this community," Florida Head Coach Jenny Rowland said. "I just want to thank all who gave to help our annual event."
Jada Oliver, an age 9 Level 7, is the daughter of Gator gymnastics alum Kourtney Gallivan.
The different skill stations had the gymnasts moving around the facility during the Harvest Food Drive.
"Some of the stuff was easy but we did it because it was fun," Oliver said. "It was so much fun to be with all my teammates."
Oliver's contributions of green beans and corn makes her feel good knowing they will be helping a family.
Kaylin Smith and Raven Watson, both 8-year old members of North Florida Gymnastics, were happy that their donations of green beans, baked beans, cornbread, ravioli and corn helps a hungry family.
The tumble track was the favorite for both, with Smith adding that another memorable part of the afternoon was "putting nametags on the Gator counselors."
Amanda Cheney (left) and Alyssa Baumann share a laugh at Saturday's Harvest Food Drive. The 2018 contribution amount of 1,004 pounds of food is the second-highest in the event's 21-year history.
Senior Amanda Cheney, whose outfit was the recipient of many of those nametags, enjoyed spending the afternoon with the enthusiastic gymnasts to benefit a great cause.
"The Harvest Food Drive is a long standing tradition for this team. This is always a fun afternoon with all these young gymnasts," Cheney said. "The community is so supportive of this team and all we do. It is heart-warming to know that more than 1,000 pounds of food is going to those who may need some help this holiday season."
The 2019 Gators gymnastics season opens Jan. 11 with a home meet versus the Missouri Tigers. Find information here on how to purchase season or single meet tickets.
