For the fifth straight year, The College of Wooster's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) supported Wayne County's Department of Job and Family Services' efforts to adopt local families in need for the holidays. This year, the county organization's strategy shifted, and the Fighting Scots pivoted to support the two assigned local youth as well as buying gifts from the organization's overall wish list. SAAC's core leadership divvied up the buying assignments among the teams, then students shopped, wrapped, and dropped the gifts off on campus to be picked up.
"As Wooster student-athletes, we are so lucky to be able to give back to our community at this time of year," shared senior Grace Lindgren from the women's golf team, who is one of the co-presidents of SAAC. "The Wooster community supports us throughout the year and attends so many of our games and events. This is one small way we can reciprocate the support. I love shopping for the children especially because I can envision the heaps of joy the gifts will bring them during the holiday season."
"We always look forward to Adopt-A-Family," added senior Otilia Oita from the women's tennis team, who is SAAC's other co-president. "Even though it was different this year, we were still able to help a lot of people. It is very rewarding to help the community and we have fun working together as an organization."
SAAC has raised approximately $18,500 over the five years of this service program.
About SAAC
SAAC is a student-driven organization on campus which looks to promote campus-wide pride and unity for Wooster athletics. SAAC provides opportunities for student-athletes to reach out and serve the community and presents opportunities to learn how to function in a team environment and develop the leadership skills necessary to succeed beyond college via meetings and events. Wooster's SAAC regularly hosts programming and fundraisers surrounding NCAA Div. III Week each April, puts on the "Scotties" student-athlete awards banquet at the end of each academic year, and produces content for other NCAA Div. III SAAC initiatives. SAAC previously partnered with Special Olympics for a regional basketball tournament in Wooster and the Fighting Scots have assisted with "Night to Shine" proms in the Wooster community.