Rose Bowl competitors serve together off the field

As the Badger football team returns to the Rose Bowl for the third straight year, another Los Angeles-area organization is excited to welcome fans back for a day of community service.

Students, alumni and friends of both UW–Madison and Stanford University, the Badgers’ Rose Bowl opponent, will set aside their allegiances to cooperate in an annual service project on the morning of Monday, Dec. 31.

For the second year, participants will assist Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles’ SOVA Community Food and Resource Program, an organization dedicated to alleviating hunger and poverty in the Los Angeles area. Volunteers will sort and pack food to be ready for distribution to clients in need.

The event takes place from 10 a.m.-noon at 6605 Odessa Ave. in Van Nuys, Calif. Refreshments will be provided. Those wishing to participate can RSVP by emailing Argyle Wade, associate dean of students at UW–Madison, who will attend the event. Area supporters unable to attend the event can donate nonperishable food items at five area hotels hosting fans, including the JW Marriott at LA Live; Loew’s Hollywood; Warner Center Marriott-Woodland Hills; the Omni Downtown; and the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.

“We’re so pleased that our return to the Rose Bowl also continues this tradition of service,” says Wade. “Community engagement is an integral part of the Wisconsin Experience and the Wisconsin Idea. We welcome any opportunity to expand the borders of the university even farther than those of the state.”

“Stanford University is excited about giving back to the community while supporting our team to victory at the Rose Bowl Game,” says Stanford alumna Naila Iscandari, volunteer organizer for the event. “Volunteering at JFS { SOVA is a wonderful opportunity for alumni, family, and friends to continue Stanford’s longstanding spirit and tradition of community service. Stanford is honored to be able to include the JFS { SOVA service project among our scheduled Rose Bowl Game festivities.”

Jewish Family Service is a non-sectarian agency serving individuals and families of all ages, races, religions and ethnicities — more than 12,000 people each month.

“JFS wants to thank the volunteers and staff from UW–Madison and Stanford University for helping us at the 2013 Rose Bowl Service Project. We are deeply appreciative of their support which allows us to provide food, help and hope to more than 12,000 individuals each month through JFS { SOVA,” says Terry B. Friedman, JFS board president. “Whatever the outcome on the field, both teams are winners to us.”