MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin student-athletes were joined by a special guest — Bucky Badger — to help congratulate students at Olson Elementary for their good behavior on Friday, March 10.

Student-athletes from football, men’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s rowing, women’s golf and women’s soccer went from classroom to classroom celebrating the students’ good behavior, taking pictures and answering questions about life as a student-athlete.

“When you’re at a young age like elementary schoolers, you’re very impressionable,” said Andrew Endicott of football. “We have an amazing opportunity to really inspire them to dedicate themselves to their work. It’s very humbling.”

The impact the student-athletes have on the kids is especially inspiring, added Thomas Walker of the men’s rowing team.

“Seeing the impact you can make on someone’s day just by saying hello or giving them a high-five really puts things in perspective,” said Walker. “I was inspired by how driven they are towards success.”

For more information on Badgers Give Back, visit our website: www.uwbadgers.com/badgersgiveback.

Rocky Point Middle School students and staff members blanketed the school’s gymnasium in a sea of green as they rallied together to raise funds to combat childhood cancers during this year’s St. Baldrick’s event.
Surrounded by Irish step dancers and professional bagpipers, more than 25 individuals took part in the main portion of the event by bravely shaving their heads to show support for those suffering from cancer. The haircuts were provided free of charge with the help of the stylists in the high school’s cosmetology program.

Donors pledged funds to support the shavees’ efforts, all of which will benefit local charities that support cancer patients.
Last year, the school raised more than $8,000 for the cause and this year they surpassed that amount and have raised more than $13,000 to date. While many students, staff members and community residents contributed to the overall fundraising efforts, student Quentin Palifka was named the top fundraiser, having individually collected $4,000.

Photo Caption: Rocky Point Middle School students, staff and community members came together to raise funds for childhood cancers during this year’s St. Baldrick’s event.

Photo courtesy of the Rocky Point School District

It was only appropriate that on Valentine’s Day Syosset High School’s Interact Club held its latest philanthropic endeavor to raise money to provide life-saving heart surgeries to children in need. The group hosted a Sweet-Hearts Fair in the student lobby area, which doubled as a celebration of life, as students video conferenced with a recipient of a life-saving heart procedure made possible through Interact and the community’s generosity.

The Sweet-Hearts Fair offered a dessert bar, games, a mural painting project, a photo booth and much more – all for a mere $5. All proceeds from the event were donated to the school’s charitable partner, Rotary International’s Gift of Life, which assists in the treatment of pediatric heart patients around the world.

Recent Syosset Interact campaigns include “Mission Heartbeat” and “7 in 7.” Two years ago, the club shattered its goal of raising $35,000 by raising over $65,000 for the organization. This year, the club sold Syosset spirit wear on True Blue Day in support of the cause, last year they sold dog tags.

Natasha, the latest child to benefit from Syosset Interact’s fundraising efforts, stole the show during a brief ceremony to kick off the Sweet-Hearts Fair. Skyping from Uganda, Natasha and her family thanked Interact, Gift of Life representatives and other students and school staff members in attendance. Although soft-spoken, and at times speechless, her visual presence served as a touching message that resonated with everyone in the room. She was operated on in a hospital in Kampala, the country’s capital, just a day after the fair. Her procedure was made possible through this year’s True Blue event.

Interact co-adviser Carisa Steinberg put it best: “We are just trying to heal one little heart at a time.”

Photo Caption:

Syosset HS Interact members with school officials and representatives of Rotary International’s Gift of Life at the Sweet-Hearts Fair as they Skype with Natasha, a recipient of a life-saving heart procedure made possible through their fundraising efforts.

Photos courtesy of the Syosset School District

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut – Members of five different QU Athletics sports teams – men’s lacrosse, men’s basketball, women’s rugby, women’s soccer and acrobatics & tumbling – made a visit to Celentano Biotech, Health and Medicine Magnet School in New Haven this week. The Positive Play initiative was made in conjunction with Dr. Suess Week as the Bobcats read books to the elementary and middle school children.

The student-athletes took time to read Dr. Suess books to seven different classrooms at the Celentano Magnet School while the Bobcats also donated a betta fish to all seven classrooms they visited on the afternoon. The children then got to name the fish after Dr. Suess characters they heard the athletes read to them about that same day.

Adopted years ago, Quinnipiac’s Positive Play initiative encourages community involvement by the University’s student-athletes, coaches and administrators. Quinnipiac is dedicated to the promotion and development of service, service learning and civic engagement programs and initiatives that involve students in the local community. The student-athletes are challenged to critically examine the role their service plays in cultivating personal development and social change. Over the course of the academic year, Quinnipiac student-athletes will participate in over 500 total hours while participating in more than 100 community service events.

Source: http://www.quinnipiacbobcats.com/news/2017/3/10/general-student-athletes-visit-celentano-biotech-magnet-school-in-new-haven.aspx?path=general

OXFORD, Miss. (localmemphis.com) – The Ole Miss football & softball teams are giving back during their spring break. Monday, student athletes from both teams took time out to help others.

The Rebels football team helped to rebuild a home with the people of Delta Grace. The mission’s objective is to help those in need in the Mississippi Delta.

The Rebels softball team headed to Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi, where they spent time with patients, and helped staff organize donations.

Source: http://www.localmemphis.com/news/local-news/ole-miss-student-athletes-give-back-to-communities-during-spring-break/671949832