News Release

CHAPEL HILL—Carolina Dreams, a new community service project initiated by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill men’s lacrosse midfielder David Werry debuts Saturday (Sept. 25) as the Tar Heel softball team plays hosts to children who have been patients at the North Carolina Children’s Hospital.

A junior majoring in economics and political science from Oshawa, Ontario, Werry has been working on this project since he first came to Chapel Hill in 2002. His goal is to enable student-athletes to make a difference in the lives of others.

Members of the softball team will be the first to participate in the program when they host 10 children Saturday for UNC’s football game against Louisville. Kick off is at 1:35 p.m.

The children – ranging in age from 6 to 12 – have each been a patient at the North Carolina Children’s Hospital. They will have lunch and special seating at Kenan Stadium with their student-athletes, after touring campus and visiting at Tar Heel Town. They will watch pregame festivities from the field and be recognized with a public address announcement and on the video board.

"We want the kids to have fun and an enjoyable visit to Chapel Hill instead of another trip to our campus for medical treatment," said Werry. "We hope this trip will create pleasant memories that will last for years to come."

Carolina Dreams has scheduled three other events this fall, including an Oct. 2 field hockey game (hosted by men’s lacrosse), the Oct. 17 women’s soccer game against Virginia (hosted by rowing) and the Oct. 30 football game against Miami (hosted by baseball).

"One of the most significant aspects of this effort is what it says about the character of UNC’s student athletes," said Dr. Jacob Lohr, professor of pediatrics and member of the Carolina Dreams Advisory Board. "In addition to giving to academics and sports, they also are dedicated to give of themselves to the larger North Carolina community.

"Carolina Dreams will provide experiences to children seen at the North Carolina Children’s Hospital that will be a powerful supplement to their medical care," Lohr said.

The hospital serves children from across North Carolina, each year providing medical and surgical services to children from each of the state’s 100 counties. And, unlike many other hospitals, it provides these services regardless of the children's families' ability to pay, Lohr noted.

Werry credits the North Carolina Children’s Hospital, the Department of Athletics and the Rams Club, among others, with helping make his ‘dream’ come to fruition.

"Carolina Dreams is the result of passionate people embracing this idea and working together to ensure its success," Werry said. "Carolina Dreams is about making a difference, a positive impact on children’s lives. It’s about making dreams come true."

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Photo link to Werry:  http://www.unc.edu/news/pics/students/werry_david.jpg

Department of Athletics contacts: Steve Kirschner, 919-962-7258 and Dr. Cricket Lane, 919-843-2040

News Services contacts: Lisa Katz, 919-962-2093 (919-638-0474 at game) and Karen Moon, 919-962-8595