KU's Student Athlete Advisory Committee Adopts 21 Children for the Holidays
Dec. 13, 2007
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
The Jayhawk Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) celebrated the holiday season by raising money and adopting 21 children through the Haskell Indian Nations University “Adopt a Haskell Rascal” Project 2007. SAAC representatives from each team collected donations from their teammates, shopped for the presents on the children’s wish list and then wrapped the presents in time for the “Adopt a Haskell Rascal” holiday party on December 8th.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The project provides gifts to the children of student parents who are financially unable to provide presents due to the financial constraints of being a full-time student or working part-time and going to school. Gifts ranged from books and DVDs to clothes and stuffed animals.
“I just love this time of year and the Jayhawks’ generosity means a lot to the parents and to the children,” said Sherry Girty, an employee in the <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>CounselingCenter at HaskellIndianNationsUniversity who leads the “Adopt a Haskell Rascal” effort. “The way the KU student-athletes pulled together to make the holiday better for our kids truly captures the spirit of the season.”
The student-athletes enjoyed the opportunity to participate.
“The `Adopt a Haskell Rascal’ project gave our teams opportunities to spread a little more holiday spirit this season,” said Katie Martincich, a junior on the KU Volleyball team. “It’s always nice to give during the holiday season, and my teammates and I had a great time picking out toys and shopping for our `Adopt a Haskell Rascal’ kids.”
James McClinton, a senior football player, added, “As student-athletes, I believe we have a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community. Our team loves to give back and we’re here to serve the community, instead of the community serving us.”
SAAC is a committee comprised of student-athlete representatives from all 16 KU Athletic teams. The purpose of SAAC is to provide student-athletes the opportunity to communicate more effectively with University of Kansas athletic administration, coaches, and staff. It enables student-athletes to provide recommendations for the improvement of academic, athletic and social experiences. The committee encourages unity, common purpose and camaraderie between teams and among all student-athletes. It also encourages community involvement through service projects and fundraisers.
