Champions with a heart: UV Lancers spread love to the needy ones

Lighting the torch of love and compassion this Christmas season, the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers reached out to the needy ones just two days after successfully defending their college basketball crown in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 23.

Not even the bad weather brought by tropical storm Kabayan last Monday could stop the Lancers from visiting the Missionaries of the Poor-Little Lambs Center (LILAC) in Barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City.

The Little Lambs Center is the first and only permanent residential facility in Cebu that caters exclusively to children with multiple disabilities. It provides shelter for the destitute, physically and mentally handicapped children, and receives those with cerebral palsy, autism and Down s syndrome. The crippled, lamed and those with slow progress in their mental behavior are also being welcomed.

Led by UV Athletic Director Dr. Chris Mejarito and head coach Gary Cortes, the Lancers handed out five sacks of rice to the charitable institution, which is symbolic of the fifth championship title they won in seven straight finals appearances since 2015.

They also distributed goodies and toiletries to the delight of the precious souls that are housed in the center.

In addition to that, the Lancers donated all their vouchers from Chooks-to-Go that were part of their prize for winning the championship in an admirable act of kindness.

"Its our way of giving back to the community and our social responsibility most especially for the physically and mentally challenged children who are in this home. We are so grateful as Visayanians to share the blessings and graces received for the less fortunate individuals during this Christmas time," said Mejarito. "Also, its our way of saying thank you from the UV Green Lancers family headed by our ever supportive team manager Digul Gullas."