CAA SAAC Groups Contribute To The Community During Spring Semester
Rob Washburn
RICHMOND, Va. (June 5, 2024) – In addition to fulfilling their responsibilities in the classroom and with their various sports, members of the CAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) participated in numerous community service projects during the spring semester.
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 participated in the Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics NC. The event had a great turnout and raised more than $1,600 for Special Olympics.
Charleston – Charleston conducted a canned food drive involving all of its athletics teams and donated the food to the Cougar Pantry. They also held a Valentine’s Day card campaign for Charleston area seniors.
Delaware – Delaware held several food drives and assisted with meal preparation at the Emmanuel Church in New Castle, Delaware.
Drexel – Drexel’s SAAC group participated in a Spring community cleanup to celebrate MLK Day, taking part in a variety of projects across Philadelphia.
Elon – Elon hosted Phoenix Field Day with a local Boys and Girls Club. The event was part of Elon’s “move initiative” to promote fitness and being active.
Hampton – Among numerous projects at Hampton was a National Women’s and Girls Sports Day Clinic in which the Pirates’ female sports teams demonstrated introductory moves in their respective sports to young female participants. The group has also been active with the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank and the Animal Aid Society while also conducting a clothing drive.
Hofstra – Hofstra participated in the 27 Challenge to support the HEADstrong Foundation, in which Hofstra student-athletes challenged themselves to do 27 more of something to raise awareness and funds for HEADstrong. The HEADstrong Foundation was established in honor of former Hofstra lacrosse player Nick Colleluori, who lost his battle with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2006. The organization has raised $24 million and has helped over 22,000 patients and their families.
Monmouth – Monmouth student-athletes volunteered at Rising Treetops in Oakhurst, N.J., a camp which provides support services and activities for youth with special needs and their caregivers. They painted bunk rooms for the campers who are set to attend this summer.
North Carolina A&T – North Carolina A&T teamed up with the Aggie Source Food Pantry for their spring social. The group allows students to pick up groceries and thrift for professional clothing.
UNCW – UNCW partnered with the Project Life Movement, whose mission is to help cure leukemia, lymphoma and sickle cell disease by adding to the number of potential stem cell and bone marrow donors on the global registry. The group recruited 53 students and UNCW staff members to join the registry through a cheek swab and online registration process.
Northeastern – Northeastern conducted a successful food drive for a local women’s shelter, Rosie’s Place. The facility serves as a shelter and provides meals for 12,000 poor and homeless women each year.
Stony Brook – Stony Brook was involved with several projects. The group conducted their bi-annual food drive for the SBU Food Pantry and conducted a beach cleanup day. They made Easter baskets that were donated to the Sunshine Prevention Center, a facility that provides support to kids who come from troubled backgrounds. A new initiative this year was collecting over 200 pairs of shoes for Soles4Souls, a non-profit organization that donates shoes to families in need.
Towson – Towson completed its Impact TU initiative during the spring semester. Towson student-athletes took part in a variety of community service projects throughout the Towson and Baltimore City/County area.
William & Mary – William & Mary continued its partnership with the Arc, a place for people who are considered intellectually and developmentally disabled but are given the opportunity to be a part of the greater community through various activities. In April, they organized a kickball game that included 50 SAAC members. The group continued their collaboration with local elementary schools, reading to students and talking about leadership skills. They also worked with the Williamsburg House of Mercy, assisting with food distribution to more than 200 families.