UCF’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will be taking part in the inspiring show of support for the global relief efforts currently taking place in the neighboring island country of Haiti, following last week’s catastrophic earthquake, with several charitable activities centered around UCF’s two home basketball games this week.
UCF student-athletes will staff the collection of needed funding, hygiene and medical supplies (band-aids, cotton swabs, first aid kits, etc.) and non-perishable food items prior to both Thursday’s 7 p.m. women’s basketball game against Conference USA rival Southern Miss and also prior to Saturday’s 5 p.m. men’s basketball game match-up with UTEP.
All collected resources and supplies will be donated into the relief effort through the Clean the World Foundation and Harvest Time International organizations. Requested items include sterile and regular gloves, gauze, bandages, tape, topical wound care, small flashlights, Tums, Motrin, pain medication, vitamins, hand sanitizers, water purification treatment, baby formula powder, children’s medication, baby diapers, baby wipes, toiletry items and soap.
“It’s times like these where we see our true colors as UCF student-athletes,” soccer student-athlete and UCF SAAC Vice President Emily Maynard said. “Even though this horrific event took place in another country we are trying to do whatever we can to help those in need. As student-athletes we are preparing to come together with the UCF community and gather as many funds as possible while also collecting medical and hygiene supplies. We (student-athletes) are extremely lucky to have the opportunities we have here at UCF and this is a chance to give back to those who are in desperate need of our help.”
“I couldn’t be more proud of our student-athletes, than I am today,” said Keith Tribble, UCF’s Director of Athletics. “Their display of charity, maturity and compassion to those so horribly affected by the earthquake in Haiti is such an outstanding testament to the quality of student-athletes representing this fine institution.”
UCF’S SAAC will also reach out to the national SAAC, C-USA SAAC and student services departments at other Florida intercollegiate institutions to solicit participation in continuing an extended ‘Students for Haiti’ campaign.
SAAC serves as the voice of UCF student-athletes. The committee is comprised of student-athletes from each sport whose role is to create a unified voice to promote communication between all student-athletes, athletics administration, UCF Faculty and staff, C-USA and the NCAA. One of the main goals of SAAC is to reach out to the community through volunteer work of all sorts. SAAC is also responsible for educating student-athletes on legislative issues and strives to create and foster a network of athlete-to-athlete support and provide leadership and learning opportunities for its members.