The College of Wooster's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) partnered with Wayne County's Department of Job and Family Services to adopt local families in need. The Fighting Scots adopted 10 families in the fourth year of the partnership.
"The Wooster community supports our teams in so many ways like showing up and cheering loud at all of our sporting events," shared women's soccer junior Aly Brugh. "Adopting families in need for the holidays is just one way we are able to give back to our incredible community."
Leading up to the end of the semester, team SAAC representatives collected donations from within their team. Then, students shopped, wrapped, and dropped off gifts for social services to pick up and deliver to local families in need.
"This is one of my favorite events that SAAC participates in," added Brugh. "The way our entire athletic community comes together to provide families in Wooster with gifts for the holidays is truly amazing. My favorite part is shopping for the children in the family. After we have gathered essentials like bathroom supplies, bed sheets, and blankets, we usually have extra money left over to get the children some fun, enjoyable presents. This year, women's soccer and women's basketball were able to purchase three bikes, a basketball hoop, a dollhouse, and various other games and toys for our family."
"There are few better feelings than scanning the shelves for gifts and envisioning the smiles that they will bring the families we help," added men's soccer senior Langston Hood. "Looking at all the wrapped presents makes me feel very grateful for our athletic department and each team's desire to better the community that surrounds our beloved College."
SAAC has raised nearly $15,000 over the four years of the 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 is hosting a regional Special Olympics basketball tournament this winter, regularly hosts programming and fundraisers surrounding NCAA Div. III Week each April, and the student organization has previously assisted with "Night to Shine" proms in the local community.