Number of Participants: 1
Hours Donated: 1000
Value of Time Served: $8,450
Event Type: Civic & Community
Sport: Schools
Date: May 9, 2014
Location:
1720 2nd Avenue South Birmingham
Alabama 35233, United States
About:
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) set a goal to serve 1000 hours in the Birmingham community this academic year. As final exams are winding down on campus, the Blazers have exceeded their mark.
“Exceeding our goal of 1000 hours of community service is a great testament to how much our SAAC program has improved over the past year in providing service opportunities” said SAAC President Rachel Daniell. “More importantly, it is evidence of the compassion and desire to serve the community present among UAB student-athletes.”
Since September, SAAC members have pushed their teams to complete community service. Many of the hours have been a whole team going out to an event or helping an organization for a couple of hours. In other instances, SAAC members join forces across teams to go out and help. In all, UAB student-athletes worked with 40 different organizations this year including Birmingham City Schools, The Birmingham Zoo, Ronald McDonald House, Birmingham Reads, Hands on Birmingham and Habitat for Humanity.
“Our student-athletes definitely answered the call to serve this year” said UAB Director of Student-Athlete Support Services and Community Relations, Justin Mackey. “When we set the 1000 hour goal with SAAC this year we knew it was a lofty goal. I’m very proud of the efforts of this group.”
The types of services throughout the semester varied from helping organizations with moving things, to reading to serving meals for those who needed them. A major focus was on helping out schools in the Birmingham district. UAB student-athletes put in many hours reading with kids, enjoying a recess at a school, speaking to high school students and working at career and educational fairs.
The UAB volleyball team led the community service charge with 180 hours of service throughout the school year.
“Our coaches and team really enjoyed the opportunities we had to work in different ways in the community this year.” senior volleyball student-athlete Ally Slaughter said. “It was always fun to work with kids in the schools when we went out for recess on fitness day or to read at their different literacy events.”
The UAB softball team contributed 167 hours of community service, women’s basketball added 107 hours, and women’s tennis served 103 hours.
“I am very excited for how SAAC will continue to grow and give back to the community next year” Daniell said.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account, @UABathletics. For more information on Blazer student-athletes academic and community involvement, follow @UABsaac on Twitter and Instagram.
And to see all the community service activities UAB athletes are involved with, please visit: http://www.uabsports.com/sports/academics/home.html