FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chargers Win Fifth NE10 Make-A-Wish Award in Past Six Seasons.
WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Surpassing its goal by more than $3540, the University of New Haven Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) raised more than $5,000 for Make-a-Wish throughout the 2018-19 academic year. The 2018-19 New Haven Make-A-Wish® donation surpasses last year's total by more than $1,500 and earns the fifth Northeast-10 Conference Make-A-Wish® Award in the past six years, presented at the annual awards ceremony on Monday, June 3.
SAAC raised its record-setting sum through numerous events and fundraisers in 2018-19. The flagship fundraiser took place at the final three home football games where SAAC sold hot chocolate that was donated by the University's food service provider Sodexo. Combined, SAAC raised over $1,850 at those three games, including more than $800 when the Chargers hosted Slippery Rock in the NCAA Championship Second Round on November 24.
Over fundraising events included the annual West Haven Pizza Challenge, a Chipotle fundraiser, Dollar Donation Day, the annual Charger Ball and raffling off prize baskets at the 2019 Hall of Fame ceremony. SAAC also held various raffles and collections at home games and other special events throughout the year.
As part of their efforts over the past five years, the Chargers have had an opportunity to host a pair of Make-A-Wish® reveal events on campus, presenting Connor from Darien, Conn. with his true wish of a Mediterranean Cruise in April 2015 and Joseph from Waterbury, Conn. with his wish of a cruise to the Bahamas this past April.
The NCAA's alliance with Make-A-Wish® began in 2003 and since then has raised more than $5 million. That money has been used to grant wishes to almost 700 kids across the country with life-threatening medical conditions. According to a 2011 Wish Impact Study, the wishes can impact children's fights against their illnesses, helping them feel better and, in some cases, get better.
The University of New Haven Department of Athletics is dedicated to serving its campus, local, national and global communities. In concert with the NCAA Division II initiative of service as one of the six key attributes that summarize the Division II student-athlete experience, all Charger athletic programs perform community service throughout the academic year.
-Release provided by New Haven athletic communications staff-
About Make-A-Wish:
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true has positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illness, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Headquartered in Phoenix, Make-A-Wish is one of the world's leading children's charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 27,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the country every 37 minutes. It has granted more than 254,000 wishes since its inception in 1980; more than 14,200 in 2014 alone. The Connecticut chapter has granted over 2,500 wishes since its inception in 1986. Visit Make-A-Wish Connecticut at ct.wish.org to learn more.
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 15 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 student-athletes compete in conference championships, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.