Student-Athletes Rock Out At Annual Holiday Party For Underprivileged
Children
ROCKVILLE, Conn. (December 7, 2007) –
The University of Connecticut's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
assisted for the seventh-straight year with a Christmas party held for
underprivileged children on Friday, Dec. 12 at St. Bernard’s Church in
Rockville, Conn. sponsored by The Cornerstone Foundation.
The Cornerstone Foundation is an establishment whose mission is to provide
emergency shelter, assist in the prevention of homelessness and provide
follow-up support and services to individuals, couples and families in order to
ensure a successful re-entry into the community. During the holiday season they
organize a Holiday Party to help raise holiday spirits The SAAC and the Tri-Town
Shelter donated funds and gifts for the event.
As the holiday season rapidly approached, SAAC requested
that all patrons planning on attending the game to bring new and unwrapped toys
for the collections. The Student-Athletes collected toys at the Connecticut
Men’s Ice Hockey game vs. Holy Cross on Friday, November 30 at the
Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum; the Women’s Basketball game vs. Virginia on
Wednesday, December 5 at the Hartford Civic Center; and the men’s
basketball game vs. Northeastern on Thursday, December 6 at Gampel Pavilion. The
toy drive was very successful as the student-athletes accepted over 20 bins of
toys from Husky fans. These toys were then delivered to the Cornerstone
Foundation where they were wrapped for the party later that month.
After studying hard for finals, members of the Men’s Ice
Hockey and Baseball teams traveled to Rockville to take part in the party. On
the snowy night the student-athletes lent a hand distributing drinks and snacks.
Later, SAAC members let loose and danced along with the children, setting up a
limbo competition and other games for everyone to enjoy. The highlight of the
night came when Santa arrived with the toys collected by SAAC and handed out
bags full of gifts to each family at the party. Student-athletes who took part
in this annual event were pleased with the energy and excitement brought by the
children.
The generosity and support from the UConn fans is the real
magic behind this event. On behalf of the Cornerstone Foundation and all the
families who benefited from the donations, SAAC would like to thank all the
UConn fans for their contributions!! |
