CHICAGO – UIC student-athletes took time out of their day on Wednesday, Jan. 22, to assist with the Special Olympics Chicago Basketball-Skills Competition at the Physical Education Building. Led by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Special Olympics athletes participated in dribbling, passing and shooting drills with the assistance of volunteers.

“Volunteering for Special Olympics is one of my favorite activities that we participate in,” SAAC President MaryKate Imrie said. “You can really see how much work the Olympians put into it and it is truly inspirational. SAAC has had involvement with Special Olympics for as long as I have been here at UIC and I feel so blessed to have been a part of something so great.”

SAAC has volunteered with Special Olympics the past several years as a part of its mission to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image

Source: http://www.uicflames.com/genrel/012314aaa.html

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Erica Ridella (Warwick, N.Y.), of the Southern Connecticut State University women’s soccer team, participated in another session of the interactive athletic program with the children at the Wallingford Boys and Girls Club.

This program is just one example of many community outreach events that SCSU student-athletes will take part in as part of the Tim Greer Insurance Agency Community Service Cup.

Initiated in September, 2008, the ‘Community Service Cup’ program provides a competitive format that allows student-athletes to gain an enriched experience through engagement with the on-campus and local communities by supporting ventures of traditional citizens, campus community members and peer students and student-athletes. SCSU student-athletes volunteered more than 3,000 hours of their time to numerous outreach efforts, both on-campus and in Greater New Haven, during the 2012-13 academic year.

Source: http://www.southernctowls.com/news/2014/3/10/WSOC_0310142433.aspx

On Monday, the LIU Post men’s lacrosse team took some time over its spring break to donate more than 40 bags of clothing to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island.

Incorporated in 1977, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to realize their endless potential. It makes meaningful, professionally supported matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”).

“Each year our program gathers items for those less fortunate,” Head Coach John Jez (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) stated. “We believe it is important for our program to look outside of our campus community and help those around us. This year, we collected over 40 bags of clothing items for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island.”

For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island, please visit www.bbbsli.org.

Elaine Krebs’ rowing season won’t start until late March, but very little has held her back from making a splash in the community.

When she arrived at USC three years ago, Krebs brought a passion for volunteering in the local neighborhood. Logging 43 hours of outreach this year, she sits in the top three of all USC student-athletes for total service hours.

“I have loved volunteering for as long as I remember,” said Krebs. “I was raised in an active Catholic family. My sister and I were constantly reminded how much we were blessed, and how we should share those blessings with others.”

During February, Krebs served as an athlete ambassador at the Heritage Hall re-opening and hosted children with physical disabilities for a tour of the McKay Center.

Krebs’ fervor for the community has become contagious. Last December, she led her team to the Community Bowl at 32nd Street School. More recently, she spearheaded their involvement with SCORE Initiative partner RowLA, a youth rowing club aimed at empowering girls from underserved neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

In addition to team-based events, Krebs has worked diligently on her own personal volunteer projects, taking advantage of unique gifts to create positive social change.

Last fall, she worked closely with the Hope Street Family Center, teaching English classes through USC’s Joint Educational Project. She also volunteered at the Aquarium of the Pacific as a tour guide and translator. During the holiday season, she wrapped gifts that had been donated to Adopt-a-Family on campus.

“I know that God has given me many talents, only one of which is athleticism,” said Krebs. “I am also blessed with a passion for science and confidence in speaking, so I volunteer in order to make use of as many of my talents as I can.”

This spring, despite the demands of rowing’s competitive season, Krebs plans to remain involved with the California Science Center, working 5-7 hours each week as an exhibit host.

Source: http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/comm-outreach/spec-rel/030414aab.html

CLARKSVILLE — The University of the Ozarks’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee recently collected and delivered canned goods to a local charity as part of the year-long American Southwest Conference’s Make A Change Canned Food drive.

U of O’s student led organization combined with the Student Life Office and Athletics Department to surpass their goal of 500 by collecting 700 cans of food to go to the Interfaith Service Network. The Interfaith Service Network is a support system for those in need within the Clarksville community, with 14 area churches assisting in the operation of the food pantry. Char Wofford of Interfaith assisted the U of O student-athletes on the day the canned food was delivered.

The ASC’s Make A Change Canned Food Collection is aimed at providing support for food pantry operations within the community of each conference member. The canned food collection project got underway in the fall semester and will continue through the end of NCAA Division III Week, April 7-13. Each of the ASC’s SAAC organizations are involved in determining the local agency or agencies they will provide the canned food collected at athletics and other events over the course of the 2013-14 school year. The SAAC organization collecting the highest number of canned food items on its own or as a joint project with other campus groups will be recognized by the ASC in late April.

“I am truly honored to lead one of the many conference SAAC groups and help with the annual Make A Change event,” said U of O SAAC President Whitney Lewis. “Every year, our group does its best to provide for those in need within our local community. We can do our part to assist those who come in contact with Interfaith Service Network. Interfaith does an outstanding job of providing those in need in terms of nourishment. Everyone in Ozarks’ SAAC contributed their share in making this tradition a success, and I couldn’t be more proud of our members.”

Each SAAC group within the ASC has conducted Make A Change campaigns over the past seven years. Since the 2006-07 year, the ASC has collectively donated over $56,689 in its loose coin drive to over 25 organizations. In 2013-14, the conference SAAC chose to redirect the Make A Change campaign efforts and assist with providing canned food items to local food pantry outlets.

Fans can track the Make A Change Canned Food Collection activities on the ASC campuses by following the ASC on Twitter (@ASC_sports) with the Twitter hashtag, #ASCMakeAChange.

Read more: The Courier – Your Messenger for the River Valley – Ozarks athletes assist Clarksville Interfaith Service Network

Source: http://www.couriernews.com/view/full_story/24706281/article-Ozarks-athletes-assist-Clarksville-Interfaith-Service-Network