NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Children visiting the Toy Closet at Yale New Haven Hospital will receive some special holiday cheer courtesy of Southern Connecticut State University student-athletes once again this year. The Owls’ Student Athlete Advisory Committee joined together with all 19 intercollegiate programs to collect funds and purchase toys for youngsters at the facility. The toys will be distributed during the holiday season.
Source: http://southernctowls.com/news/2014/12/10/GEN_1210143859.aspx
Members of East Islip High School’s varsity softball team met at Target on Dec. 8, each holding a “Dear Santa” letter and Christmas wish list.
Their mission was to shop for 10 underprivileged children who reside in the Amityville School District, a project organized by Charlie Russo of the Holiday Magic organization.
The players spent several hours making sure everything on the lists was procured. Jason McGowan, the team’s coach, will deliver the presents to the children during the week before Christmas.
“It felt great shopping for the little girl I had,” said junior Emily Churpita. “It was so much fun. I got her a nice outfit and some toys and other clothes. I really hope she likes it, and I am so glad we did this.”
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Some UK student-athletes took time out of their busy schedules to help children battling illnesses. They made some special homemade Christmas gifts which will soon be put to good use and keep several kids warm.
Some of the UK student-athletes were better at crafting than others, but they all had the same goal in mind. That was to make lots and lots of blankets for kids at Kentucky Children’s Hospital.
“Well, we’re making blankets for Kentucky Children’s Hospital because we love children,” said Zoe Swift, a sophomore on the UK women’s soccer team.
Several of the athletes had done this before, making UK blankets last year. But the turnout this year was even better.
“I think we all enjoy doing it, and it’s nice to give back to other people,” said Swift.
It’s not a requirement or a job that takes that much time or effort.
“Making blankets isn’t that hard,” said Swift. “But with the work you put into it, it’s great to see them happy.”
But for some of these UK athletes, it’s more than an effort.
“Why am I the only one struggling?” said Marcus Lee, a forward on the UK men’s basketball team. “I think it’s scissor problems.”
It’s a skill for them that they say their coaches haven’t taught them, considering you don’t need to know how to make blankets to play basketball.
“Finding the corner and cutting this blanket,” said Karl-Anthony Towns, another forward on the UK men’s basketball team. “I’m gonna make it nice.”
“We’re good at rebounding, shooting hoops, and assists,” said Marcus Lee. “We’re not good at crafts. This is my struggling point.”
So in the end, making dozens and dozens of blankets on a Tuesday night wasn’t their easiest task, but it was one that they say was worth it and a lot of fun.
The student-athletes aren’t at Kentucky Children’s Hospital when these blankets are delivered. They do get to see photos of how much these kids enjoyed the blankets afterwards and say that’s their favorite part.
The blankets will be given to patients at Kentucky Children’s Hospital on a later date before Christmas.
Source: http://www.wkyt.com/news/headlines/UK-student-athletes-practice-crafting-skills-for-Kentucky-Childrens-Hospital-285314931.html
Members of Hauppauge High School’s girls’ varsity soccer team and coaches recently visited the Steven D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. In addition to touring the facilities, the girls met with the founders of the Making Headway Foundation, Edward and Maya Manley, to present them with checks totaling $20,000. The team raised $10,000 at Hauppauge’s Kicks for Cancer Event, and the remaining funds were raised by 30 other Suffolk County varsity soccer programs.
Source: http://www.hauppauge.k12.ny.us/
Ten student athletes from the University of Louisiana at Monroe participated in the Big Whit 77 Foundation’s “Wish List” project, which surprised 10 families in northeast Louisiana with dinner and a Christmas gift shopping spree. The foundation chose five families from Ouachita Parish and five families from Lincoln Parish.
ULM’s athletes were joined by athletes from Louisiana Tech University. The group was treated to dinner and games at Chuck E. Cheese’s followed by a surprise shopping spree at Toys “R” Us.
Lisa Miller, ULM Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management, and Big Whit 77 Foundation board member said, “This is what Christmas is all about. Our athletes really got into the spirit of giving and it is so wonderful to know that we can do some good in this world.”
ULM sent athletes from three sports. Women’s Basketball representatives were Aleesha Coulter, a senior psychology major from Auckland, New Zealand; Alayshia Hunter, a junior kinesiology major from Killeen, Texas; and Christina Gray, a senior accounting major from Winnfield.
Men’s Basketball representatives included Chinedu Amajoyi, a senior communication major from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; and Tylor Ongwae, a senior business major from Eldoret, Kenya.
ULM track and field was represented by members of its men’s and women’s teams including Jamel Sams, a senior computer science major from Longview, Texas; Dominique Cheffin, a sophomore nursing major from Ruston; Teona Glave, a senior agriculture business major from Manchester, Jamaica; and Rychlend Martin-Horne, a toxicology major from Bedford, Texas.
ULM Baseball was represented by Joshua Faciane, a general business major from New Orleans.
The athletes were chosen through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a group comprised of athletes from various sports who serve as the voice for student-athlete issues on and off the field.
The committee provides a forum for student-athletes to present specific concerns and participate in the formulation of policies within the department; promotes efficient communication between student-athletes and the athletic administration; encourages more involvement of the student-athlete in campus and community projects; helps build a sense of community within the athletic department and all athletic teams; and contributes and builds the Student-Athlete Life Skills Program.
Seth Hall, staff adviser for the SAAC, said “This event was awesome. This was one of the proudest I have ever been of ULM student-athletes. They were so excited to take part in a truly altruistic event and organization.”
The event was facilitated by The Big Whit 77 Foundation, and sponsored by Kirby-Orten-Guillot-Breaux and Associates from Merrill Lynch.
To learn more about the Big Whit 77 Foundation, visit http://www.bigwhit77.com/
Source: http://www.myarklamiss.com/story/d/story/ulm-student-athletes-give-back-with-wish-list/89100/UN1sp3dz0kWR0-GP_SvPGg
