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NEWS

The Norwich Guidon
Nov. 13, 2003

Students do push-ups for food

By Kate Brett
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Push-ups are a part of the physical training of every member of the military.

But on Nov. 15 the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) will be putting on "Push-ups for Food" from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in front of Shaw's Supermarket in Montpelier, according to the club's president, Daniela Argentino, 24, a senior nursing major from Gloucester, Mass.

"Push-ups for Food" is a volunteer program in which students give their time and energy by doing push-ups in exchange for non-perishable food items from the community, she said. The food collected goes to families in need in the surrounding area.

Justin Napolitano, 21, an international studies major from Seattle, Wash., volunteered last year and is looking forward to helping out at the event again this year.

The students involved do 10 push-ups per can of food donated.

"I think we averaged around four or five thousand push-ups last year," Nappolitano said.

AUSA is a private, non-profit educational organization that supports America's Army -- Active, National Guard, Reserve, Civilians, Retirees, and family members, according to the AUSA web site, www.ausa.org.

Norwich University's chapter of AUSA is the Ernest M. Harmon chapter.

"AUSA has chapters located world-wide, made up entirely of volunteers," Argentino said. "They provide recreational and educational opportunities. Most importantly, they support soldiers and their families."

The food drive has been very successful in past years. The program started in the fall of 2000.

Last year, there were three car trunks full of donated food, Argentino said.

"This is a great event. I encourage anyone who knows about it to come down and join us doing pushups or come down to Shaw's to donate food," Napolitano said.

Anyone can volunteer as long as they have a pair of BDUs (battle dress uniform), boots, and are ready for a good workout. All students are welcome to join AUSA; affiliation with the Army department is not required. Civilian students and other ROTC branch cadets are also encouraged to join.

Those interested in volunteering for "Push-ups for Food" or interested in joining AUSA can email Argentino at Argentid@Norwich.edu.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.