The Columbia Basin College Athletic Department and its student-athletes have a longstanding commitment of giving back to the community. CBC's student-athletes not only work to excel in the classroom and during competition, they also understand the importance of giving back to the community in one shape or another.

Between academics, practices, and competition, it is the CBC Athletic Department's vision to support our local community through individual program efforts. Community service not only serves to enhance a student-athlete's college experience, but also serves to expand character. Athletes gain a stronger sense of self-worth and personal satisfaction and growth from volunteering to serve the community. Additionally, our community's youth have the opportunity to interact on a personal level with our student-athletes. These interactions become an educational experience celebrating diversity and the importance of community service which we hope stay with our athletes long after they leave the college environment.

In 2009, CBC's student-athletes served the Tri-Cities community by participating and sponsoring the “Buddy Walk,” an annual event to raise funds for children with special needs in our area. Several student-athletes and Athletic Department staff walked, encouraging more than 150 children with special needs to finish the 1.5 mile walk around Howard Amon Park in Richland. Our student-athletes reported feeling a sense of giving for their participation. For the children with mental and physical challenges, their feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction are immeasurable. The event raised more than $10,000.

The Athletic Department ran a food drive called "Students Helping Students" that donated food to the CBC Resource Center for students in need. Free admission to a CBC Athletic Department event was offered to anyone that donated a non- perishable food item.

For the second year in a row, the CBC Athletic Department participated in Breast Cancer Awareness Week. Free admission was offered to fans wearing pink clothing in support of the fight against breast cancer. Fans had the opportunity to purchase pink ribbons to wear and/or hang on the walls of the CBC gymnasium. The Hawks’ Nest was a wave of pink and all proceeds were donated to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center.

CBC basketball players visited selected elementary schools throughout their season and participated in the "Book Buddies" reading program. Several teams from the NWAACC who participated in the championship basketball tournament read to children as an outreach program activity.

Throughout CBC's athletic seasons last year, free admission and pizza were offered to all children and high school students participating on a sports team. Several teams from our area visited the campus to watch an athletic event.

Congratulations to our student-athletes and to the entire Athletic Department for their community efforts!