Big South Donates $18,500 To Make-A-Wish Foundation?
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Big South Conference announced today that it has donated $18,500 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, generated through joint fundraising efforts of its student-athletes during the 2007-08 academic year.
The Big South Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) created the Kallander Cup to engage student-athletes from all Big South member institutions in a year-long fundraising competition for the benefit of a selected charity. In 2007-08, the Conference’s student-athletes chose the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, supporting its mission to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. The student-athletes raised more than $14,000, and the Conference added more than $4,000 separately – money that was originally budgeted for Spring Meeting attendee gifts but was unanimously re-directed to support the cause. The total amount raised will help grant three wishes.
“I am so proud of the Big South student-athletes,” said Big South Commissioner Kyle Kallander. “Today’s headlines are so often filled with negative or tragic stories involving college students. The fact that these student-athletes, with their busy academic and athletic schedules, raised more than $18,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation is truly heart-warming and reinforces our belief that leaders are developed through athletics. This wonderful organization brings joy and wonder to so many deserving children through the granting of their wishes. We are honored to be able to support their generous efforts.”
“We are very excited to partner with the ten schools that are a part of the Big South Conference,” said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America president and chief executive officer. “Because of the student-athletes’ tremendous efforts, three wish kids and their families will have joyful, life-affirming experiences to counter the difficulties of the kids’ medical conditions. We look forward to working with the schools of the Big South Conference for many years to come.”
The Big South member institution who raises the most funds annually will lay claim to the Kallander Cup at the end of the year. This year’s winner was Liberty University with its collective total of $4,044.66.
ABOUT THE MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 67 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 164,000 wishes in the United States since inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.