BENNINGTON, Vt. – A little snowfall did not deter the Southern Vermont College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) from delivering about 200 toys to BROC – Community Action in Southwestern Vermont on Tuesday.
Over the last two weeks, the SAAC has been collecting toy donations for children of all ages on the SVC campus, as well as in Bennington. On four separate occasions, the student-athletes took time away from homework, studying and training to sit at a table outside the Yankee One Dollar Store on Northside Drive, bringing awareness to the effort as well as bringing in a large amount of donations.
“Everybody in SAAC did a great job in making sure this holiday toy drive was a success,” said Anthony Ayala (Pico Rivera, Calif.), a senior who plays men’s soccer, men’s volleyball and baseball in addition to being the SAAC President. “After being in the Bennington area for three years now, it's a great feeling to be able to give back to the community that I’ve become a part of.”
The toys will be distributed by BROC to area families that are in need. As described on its website, ‘BROC - Community Action in Southwestern Vermont is committed to empower, support and educate individuals and families to be self sufficient in their employment, homes and communities through family stabilization and development; education, training and job creation; affordable housing; and expanding community awareness and advocacy in a nurturing environment of respect and dignity ever mindful of cultural diversity.’
“Every year it gets harder and harder for people to be able to provide some extra gifts for their kids at Christmas,” said Maryann St. John, the County Supervisor for Community Services at BROC. “With fuel assistance and food stamp cuts, and the other kinds of cutbacks going on right now, this is really a big benefit for our clients to be able to have some toys and gifts for their kids without worrying about also trying to pay for fuel.”
The SAAC is a committee made up of student- athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience. The SAAC also offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives on NCAA member institution campuses.
Dave Gage, head baseball coach and advisor to the SAAC, commented, “I’m very proud of the effort that our student-athletes put toward the toy drive. This was an amazing opportunity for our athletes to give back to the community and help local families enjoy the holiday season."