CHICAGO – Last semester, the Loyola Chicago softball team showcased its teamwork beyond the diamond by dedicating 163 volunteer hours to three local nonprofits: Care for Real, Misericordia Hearts and Flour Bakery and St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen.  

Care for Real, which is built on the foundation of neighbors helping neighbors, provides food assistance, clothing, referrals and so much more to low-income residents in the northside of Chicago. At Care for Real, softball team members assisted in providing fresh, nutritious groceries at the food pantry distribution, sorting through food and clothing donations and making flower bouquets to give to families during pantry hours.  

Pitcher Peyton Pepkowski and her teammates helped over 450 people during just one of their volunteer shifts.  

"The most rewarding part of giving back is knowing that we were able to help even a small part of the Chicago community in some way. It was inspiring to see how many people we could help in such a short time," said Pepkowski.  

Not only did the student-athletes help distribute necessities like food and clothing, but they also engaged in conversations and made connections with those in the community. 

"While serving at Care for Real, I helped provide essential resources to those in need while also offering kindness and support to many families and individuals. This experience reinforced the values of service, compassion and community, which I hope to carry forward in all aspects of life," added outfielder Riley Owens.  

Volunteering at local organizations creates a direct impact on the lives of those in need which the softball student-athletes experienced firsthand.  

"It‬ gave me a deeper sense of connection to the community and a real‬ understanding of how something as simple as a meal can make a difference in‬ someone's day. It's an incredible feeling to know that our efforts, no matter how‬ small, help support people in a tangible and personal way," said catcher Abbie Gregus.  

Outfielder Sierra Sass echoed her teammate's sentiments. "I know that I am blessed with the life and support I have, so giving back and helping others who have not been dealt the same cards in life is incredibly rewarding," she said.  

This attitude resonated across all of the team's efforts, whether they were providing essential resources at Care for Real or serving meals at the St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen. ‭In addition to volunteering here, the softball team also contributed to a sweet cause at Misericordia Hearts and Flour Bakery where they helped bake cookies and cut trays of brownies into little heart shapes.  

Volunteers work alongside Misericordia staff and residents to prepare, bake and package desserts for customers. All proceeds from the bakery goods help contribute to the hundreds of children and adults that call Misericordia home.  

"At Misericordia‬ Bakery, teamwork was essential. We had to collaborate closely to ensure‬ everything ran smoothly, from shaping the cookies to cutting the brownies. Each‬ person's contribution was important, and I learned how much more effective we‬ were when we communicated well and supported one another.," said Gregus. "It made me‬ realize that leadership isn't always about being in charge; it's about being‬ reliable, stepping in to help when needed, and encouraging others to do the‬ same." 

The volunteer experiences strengthened the softball team's connection to the community and to each other while providing a deeper appreciation for service.

"When we worked together, we assisted so many people in such a short amount of time and were able to accomplish goals that would not have been possible if we were working individually. This relates to our actions on the field as well; when we are all working together towards the same goal, it is much easier to achieve," said Pepkowski. 

Much like working in the food pantry distribution or baking desserts, the Ramblers learned that effective teamwork is not about individual glory but working together toward a shared goal and that fostering a positive and collaborative atmosphere is essential to success both on and off the field.