Westfield State’s student-athlete advisory committee members pose after their gift-wrapping session. The SAAC provided gifts for 29 children in Westfield elementary schools. (Photo courtesy of Westfield State University Sports/Marlee Berg)
WESTFIELD – Westfield State University student-athletes provided almost 100 gifts for Westfield school children through the annual “Secret Santa” program which the Owls’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee coordinates with the Volunteers in Public Schools of Westfield (VIPS program).
Owls’ student-athletes donated more than $1,300, and each varsity team adopted a specific family to help fulfill the school-children’s Christmas list.
The student-athletes provided gifts for 29 children, which VIPS delivers to the schools and distributes to parents.
This is the 13th straight year that SAAC has sponsored the Secret Santa program, which was started by former Westfield State women’s basketball player Betty Dely after attending an NCAA leadership conference.
“Our student-athletes really embrace the prospects of helping out in the community,” said Nancy Bals, associate athletic director at Westfield and the SAAC advisor. “Collectively, our student-athletes contribute more than 2,500 hours of community service annually, and they find it extremely rewarding to be part of the Secret Santa program.”
The SAAC consists of two student-athletes from each of Westfield State’s 21 varsity teams. The committee focuses on community service, student leadership, and assisting the Westfield State administration with programming for the University’s nearly 500 student-athletes. – Courtesy of Westfield State University Sports
