SUNY Brockport Athletics came together for the seventh consecutive year to raise money and collect gifts for Barclay Elementary School in the Brockport School District for the holiday season.
Associate Head Athletic Trainer, John Jackson, teamed up with Assistant Athletic Director Steve Pike and Brockport’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) to lead the charge in bringing everyone together for one common goal. This year the Golden Eagles raised nearly $3,000 in money, gifts, and gift cards. Over the course of the last six years, Brockport athletics has raised over $20,000 towards this specific program.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for SAAC to not only be involved in the community but it allows us to recognize our privileges,” said SAAC President and women’s basketball student-athlete Shannon Blankenship. “Giving is a two-way street and we are always excited to help with the holiday drive. Sometimes it takes so little to make a family happy and we are just grateful we get the opportunity to do so.”
Tara Jackson, third grade teacher at Barclay Elementary, acts as the liaison for the school’s holiday fund. The fund allows people to be able to sponsor a family during the holidays or donate to the cause. When the Golden Eagles were asked to participate again this season, they jumped at the opportunity.
SAAC has been very supportive of the holiday fund over the years and this year they organized team leaders to help collect funds and go shopping for gifts. Ten different teams went shopping for 18 children in need at Barclay Elementary.
hannon Blankenship (women’s basketball), Jackie DuTot (softball), Lucy Crounse (women’s soccer), Madeline McCrosson (women’s soccer), Kelsey Zehr (field hockey), Alexis Sison (women’s volleyball), Colby Jordan (men’s basketball), Lily Rexford (track & field), Lexi Rodriguez (track & field), Olivia Metz (athletic communications), John Jackson (Associate Head Athletic Trainer), Steve Pike (Assistant Athletic Director), and Gil Burgmaster (Associate Athletic Director) delivered the money and gifts to Barclay Elementary on December 11.
The Golden Eagles look forward to maintaining a strong relationship with the schools in the Brockport community and continuing to provide support for those in need.
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