CAA SAAC Groups Stay Busy With A Variety Of Community Service Activities
Rob Washburn
RICHMOND, Va. (December 20, 2023) – The CAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) completed a busy fall semester by completing numerous community service initiatives across their campuses and communities.
Using the platform, “CAA Cares”, each SAAC group was given the autonomy to determine the most impactful project to undertake in their community and what organizations to partner with.
Below is a list of the various initiatives completed by the CAA SAAC groups.
Campbell – Campbell organized “Operation Christmas Camel”, where teams adopt families across Harnett County and provide presents for Christmas. The Campbell SAAC group also wrote letters to first responders and health care workers in Harnett County as part of Civic Engagement Day.
Charleston – The Charleston SAAC group celebrated Halloween in a collaborative event with the Charleston Ronald McDonald House. Candy bags were collected from each athletic team and separated into smaller Halloween packets. The packets were delivered to children at the Ronald McDonald House to enjoy on Halloween.
Delaware – The Delaware SAAC group organized a canned food drive during the CAA Field Hockey Championship. The initiative benefitted the Food Bank of Delaware.
Drexel – The Drexel SAAC group conducted a “Mental Health/Be Active Day” for children in the West Philadelphia community. Drexel student-athletes participated in a variety of games and activities with students from Locke Elementary School.
Elon – Elon’s SAAC group is organizing a Christmas Cheer celebration. Athletic teams raise money for families they are sponsoring so that they can provide Christmas presents for children.
Hampton - The Hampton SAAC group volunteered and partnered with local elementary schools for a fall festival. Student-athletes took part in a variety of activities with the children.
Hofstra – Hofstra’s SAAC group developed a program called “Shooting Stars.” It’s an all-inclusive track program for athletes from kindergarten to adults who have varying abilities and disabilities. Hofstra student-athletes interacted with the participants through different sports and activities.
Monmouth - In advance of Thanksgiving, Monmouth’s SAAC group conducted a canned food and toiletry drive, with donations going to the on-campus NEST organization that services students in need. Prior to Christmas, student-athletes raised money and then took 10 children on a shopping trip for gifts. With any extra money, grocery cards were purchased for parents of the children.
North Carolina A&T -The North Carolina A&T SAAC group partnered with Aggie Source to put together a dodge ball tournament for food hunger. Participants donated food items to support a local food pantry and items also went to a Food Lion to distribute throughout the Greensboro community.
UNCW – UNCW’s SAAC group coordinated a Holiday Food Drive with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. The drive collected 330 items which resulted in 326 pounds of donations.
Northeastern – Northeastern’s SAAC group held a toy drive in support of the Wunderfund from November 21
st-December 6
th. Wunderfund is an organization in the state of Massachusetts that helps support children and teens in foster care.
Stony Brook – Bears and Sunshine was an initiative put together by the Stony Brook SAAC group, where student-athletes stuffed teddy bears and created tie blankets. More than 50 bears and 50 blankets were donated to the Sunshine Education and Prevention Center in Port Jefferson Station. The group also partnered with Long Island News 12 on a food drive supporting the Stony Brook University Center For Civic Justice Food Pantry, assisted with a voter registration drive and made cards for soldiers on Veteran’s Day.
Towson – The Towson SAAC group conducted a fall food drive and distribution. The organization collected food items and monetary donations to support local food banks in the Towson area.
William & Mary – William & Mary’s SAAC group conducted Holly Days, an event that serves underprivileged children and families to provide families with a space to celebrate the holidays. The group raises money to purchase toys for sponsored families. Children get to select toys and then go with volunteers to pick out a gift for a parent. In addition to Holly Days, the group participated in Be The Match, held a canned food drive and volunteered with several local organizations – The Arc, the Williamsburg House of Mercy and local elementary schools.