The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Student-Athletes Make the Most of Giving
12/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | General
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Members of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Student-Athlete Advisory Committee made a significant impact in the local community last week to coincide with Giving Tuesday.
UAB Student-athletes shopped for and delivered gifts for the annual Ronald’s Workshop at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama, presented a donation to the Miracle League of Gardendale and made contributions to multiple families in need this holiday season.
SAAC members hosted its second annual “Penny Wars” competition last month and pitted each athletic team at UAB against one another. This highly competitive contest carried bragging rights and the chance to choose the charities to which the money raised will be pledged. The UAB softball team took the crown for the second consecutive year, with track & field/cross country finishing a close second. Men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and women’s soccer rounded out the top five. In all, the teams doubled last year’s total by raising over $2,200.
“It feels good to be able to take time out of our days and give back to families that need it around the holidays,” freshman softball student-athlete Sophie Robic said.
The gifts donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities will be used as part of the annual Ronald’s Workshop, which is set up just before the Christmas holiday each year and gives parents a place where they can secretly shop for gifts for their children. Volunteers then wrap and hide the gifts for Santa to bring to the families on Christmas Eve.
“It’s been truly inspiring to watch all of our student-athletes compete so hard to beat each other in the ‘penny wars’ competition, knowing that the money raised will make such an impact for so many this holiday season,” said Caitlin Callaghan, UAB SAAC Coordinator.
So far this academic year, UAB student-athletes have committed over 1,700 hours of service to the Birmingham community.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter and Instagram accounts, @UABathletics. For more information on Blazer Student-Athlete Development and community involvement, follow @UABsaac on Twitter.
