Student Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.)

IONA’S ATHLETES ‘MAKE A DIFFERENCE’

Numerous Iona College Student-Athletes participated in the campus-wide initiative for what is familiarly known as Make A Difference Day. This day, usually the fourth Saturday of October, is a national day of helping others.

The festivities began on Friday, October 22nd, with a birthday party themed kick-off party to the Make a Difference Weekend. Guests were asked to bring a donation intention, which would be used in the ‘hugs and hope’ project to benefit underprivileged children in the area who aren’t fortunate enough to afford birthday parties. Donations included items such as cake mix, frosting, candles, balloons, plates, and decorations. Many teams who were unable to attend Saturday’s event came to the party with contributions to show their support and generosity.

On Saturday, all volunteers assembled at 9am in Spellman Lounge to meet the site leaders and get directives for the day’s event. Teams were sent to various locations in the New Rochelle area and even as far north as Brewster, NY. Projects included hosting a Halloween party for senior citizens at the Wartburg Senior Center; playground restoration at Green Chimneys, a therapeutic environment for at risk adolescents; assisting in construction activities with Habitat for Humanity; and helping out with recreational activities for adolescents at the local YMCA, just to name a few.

Overall the initiative was a tremendous success. The student-athletes clearly demonstrated their service abilities and brought the athletics community together with those who are most in need.

Below are pictures from the event, click on them below to see a larger size.

MaDD Kickoff Party
Women’s Volleyball at the MaDD Kick off Party	Mike Biehl attempts to pin the nose on the clown at the kick-off party to MaDD
Kim Kennedy (W. XC/Track) and Dan Potocki (Baseball) with their donations for MaDD	All the generous donations for the Hugs and Hope project
Members of the Football team at the MaDD Kick off Party	Women’s Lacrosse Team
Men’s Golf Team at the MaDD Kick off Party	Kayleigh Tobias and Kristin Allain donate birthday party items
Green Chimneys Playground Restoration
Member of the Swimming and XC/Track teams complete the finishing touches for the playground restoration	Teams learn about volunteer opportunities at Green Chimneys
Brian McClintock, Jackie Fountaine, and Anthony Rousseau of the Swim Team break for a quick pose	William Walsh and Doug Butters of the Men’s Swim Team show their teamwork as they spread sand for the playground at Green Chimneys
Kim Kennedy of Women’s Cross Country pitches in at Green Chimneys	Katie Dugan (W. Swimming) and Kim Kennedy (W. XC/Track) start spreading the sand.
Amanda McCarthy (Women’s Swimming) admires her team’s job well done	Sarah Giacalone, Nicole Kin, and Melissa Crivelli of the Women’s Swimming Team sand down the playground equipment.
Habitat for Humanity
Members of the Baseball team at the Habitat for Humanity site	Paul Abiuso of the men’s soccer team rakes leaves to prepare a site for Habitat for Humanity
The men’s soccer team gears up for their site work for Habitat for Humanity	Members of the men’s soccer team hard at work