Oct. 29, 2009

In the spirit of Halloween, the UMass Lowell softball team will be trick-or-treating for a good cause. The squad will be conducting its first annual Trick-or-Treating for Canned Goods on Oct. 31 and will go door-to-door in Lowell to collect non-perishable items for the greater Lowell community.

Members of the River Hawk softball team will pass through Lowell neighborhoods between 5-8:30 p.m. asking for non-perishable donations to benefit those that are struggling, as the cold fall weather sets in. Any and all donations are appreciated.

"Community service will become a big part of the softball culture at UMass Lowell," head coach Sean Cotter said. "I am excited to carry on a tradition that started in 2001 at Plattsburgh, here in Lowell. Hopefully we can help some local families in what has become a tough economic time."

Cotter says he hopes this event will become a Halloween tradition for his team, as it was an annual affair for his squad while coaching at Plattsburgh. Beginning in 2001, Cotter and his team started the ritual of trick-or-treating for canned goods and in seven years, they collected over 20,000 canned goods for local food pantries.

If you have any questions about the event, call the softball office at (978) 934-3977.