The D'Youville College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) came together to put on their annual Project Linus event on April 17.
In total, 50 students gathered to make 55 blankets in the Kurht Dining Hall of the College Center. Project Linus is a non-profit organization that helps provide homemade blankets to children in need. The D'Youville SAAC crafted 50 blankets in 2014, 75 in 2015, 76 in 2017, and 103 blankets in 2018.
SAAC president and junior outfielder on the softball team, Ashley Carney, helped organize the event and has organized numerous community service events throughout the school year. With the continued support over the past several years, Carney was extremely pleased to put on such an impactful event yet again.
"The continued support from our student-athletes is outstanding," said Carney. "Each year we put on this event and each year our student-athletes take time out of their academics and athletics to give back to the community. Something so simple such as a blanket can mean so much for a young child and this event is a great opportunity for students to come together and de-stress but create such a big impact."
Project Linus was created in 1998 and has chapters in all 50 states. Each blanket is made taking two pieces of fleece that are equal size, laying one on top of the other, cutting strips around the blanket, and then tying them together.
The goal of SAAC is to improve the community by giving back and participating in events such as the Project Linus. SAAC is made up of members of each of the 14 D'Youville sports team, working together for the greater good.