Medicine Hat College Rattlers volunteer over 6,000 hours as college marks 60th anniversary

Apr 24, 2026 | 5:47 PM

Student-athletes at Medicine Hat College have worked over 6,000 volunteer hours during the 2025-26 season, marking a milestone year for the Rattlers athletics program.

The total improves on last year’s 5,600 hours and was set as a goal to coincide with the college’s 60th anniversary.

Over eight months, Rattlers athletes volunteered with 106 organizations and events, including Meals on Wheels, Prairie Gleaners Society, SPCA, The Salvation Army, Medicine Hat Health Foundation and the Root Cellar Food and Wellness Hub.

The program also prioritized classroom visits, giving athletes opportunities to connect with younger students across the community.

More than 3,500 hours of the time volunteered were spent coaching youth in schools and club programs, with participation from athletes across all Rattlers’ sports.

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(Image Credit: Medicine Hat College)

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The Rattlers have a long-standing history of community involvement and have previously earned the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Community Service Award four times.

Manager of athletics and recreation Terry Ballard said the achievement reflects the program’s focus on academics, athletics and citizenship.

Ballard said the school is proud of its student-athletes for embracing the program’s three pillars and how they contributed to the community through a wide range of initiatives.

Abby Lalach, a Medicine Hat College Rattlers women’s soccer and futsal student-athlete from Cranbrook, B.C., said the volunteer program helped her feel connected to the community, citing events such as Ross Glen’s annual Literacy Heroes Afternoon.

The college said the volunteer program will resume in fall 2026.

by Jett Schwaier

Medicine Hat College Rattlers volunteer over 6,000 hours as college marks 60th anniversary

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