SAAC fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
JULIA HENDRICKS / COURTESY
Leyla J. Mercado, Features Editor & Asst. Social Media Editor
Manhattan University’s (MU) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is fundraising for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, aiming to raise $1,000.
In reference to Go Jaspers, everyday more than 70 children are diagnosed with a critical illness, relying on donors to help make their wishes come to life. MU’s SAAC is committed to this mission, knowing that each wish granted transforms fear into confidence and anxiety into hope for a child.
Isabella Canizzo, a senior English major with minors in religious studies and psychology, is a student-athlete on MU’s track team and the Vice President of SAAC. Canizzo spoke to The Quadrangle about what motivated SAAC to partner with Make-A-Wish.
“We partnered with Make-A-Wish in years prior, but we wanted to tackle an organization that works directly with helping those in need outside of athletics and outside [MU’s] campus,” Canizzo said.
As the group remains optimistic, efforts to reach their $1,000 goal continue as the spring semester progresses. Through partnership with other on-campus athletic teams, Canizzo emphasized the importance of this goal and its meaning for the rest of the SAAC members.
“We wanted to do something bigger… fundraise for something bigger and kind of set the bar high,” Canizzo said. “To give little kids a chance to get better and chase their dreams is huge for us.”
SAAC hopes to bring positivity to the community by hosting events at various MU Division I collegiate games, while building camaraderie within its teams, engaging with fans and connecting with the wider community.
Julia Hendricks, a junior history and criminology double major, is a student-athlete on MU’s track team and SAAC’s community service chair. Hendricks spoke with The Quadrangle about how SAAC hopes the fundraising money will benefit many Make-A-Wish children.
“There are so many ways the $1,000, and hopefully more [money], can make an impact for Make-A-Wish kids,” Hendricks said. “I think it’s important to remember that money isn’t all going to the same place, and when you raise $1,000… you’re really giving money to tens, if not hundreds of kids with illnesses across the country to make their wishes come true.”
Hendricks continued to explain that the impact of this fundraiser is evident, and every small donation helps create an even bigger difference.
“It’s a great project to have because at the end of the year the students can look back and see one collective donation and clearly see how their contributions over the year has made a difference,” Hendricks said.
Hendricks told The Quadrangle that during her time as SAAC’s community service chair, she has come to appreciate the effort that goes into organizing these projects and events.
“Being the community service chair has been an awesome experience, and I think it’s something that more clubs should incorporate…It’s really important to have someone dedicated solely to these events because they are pretty intense to schedule bureaucratically.”
SAAC will continue fundraising and updating MU’s student body about their progress and ongoing mission to help children in need as much as they can, while encouraging everyone to get involved and support their efforts.