Posted: Jan 15, 2020
It has been a mild January so far throughout the landscape of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC), but the the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is ready to step up to the plate as temperatures are expected to plummet over the next several weeks. AMCC adminstrators and the conference SAAC will be joining forces over the next few weeks to help keep the less fortunate warm this winter. The SAAC for Socks campaign officially kicked off on Saturday, January 11 and will continue through Sunday, February 2.
All AMCC SAAC committees are joining together in a community service campaign to collect winter socks, gloves, and hats to donate to local homeless shelters across the region. Socks are an extremely high-need item for homeless people, especially during the winter months, when there is the risk of frostbite. Homeless people often have shoes but no socks, and the danger often goes unnoticed until it is too late. While men's warm socks tend to be a high-need item, donations of socks, hats and gloves for any gender, any age are all very welcome.
Here is a brief overview of what AMCC member institutions are doing as part of the SAAC for Socks campaign:
Alfred State - The Pioneers are going to have donation bins to collect socks in the athletic building. At their home athletic events, they are going to have a “sock throwing” contest where they will provide a prize to the winners. Additionally, swimming will do a rubber duck throwing contest with donations to buy socks. Swimming is on the Jan. 25, basketball will be on Feb. 5 and wrestling on Jan 14.
D'Youville - The Spartans are planning to have collection baskets around campus along with one basketball game dedicated to collecting and fundraising with halftime games.
Franciscan - The Barons are going to have two bins at the Fieldhouse and Student Life Center to collect winter apparel. They will donate the proceeds to the Homeless Ministry Teams to give out to the local Steubenville Homeless.
Franciscan - The Barons are going to have two bins at the Fieldhouse and Student Life Center to collect winter apparel. They will donate the proceeds to the Homeless Ministry Teams to give out to the local Steubenville Homeless.
Hilbert - The Hawks will be hosting a socks basket shoot out at half time on January 29 at the men’s and women’s basketball game to give away gift cards for those who make the socks in the basket. In the meantime, they will also be leaving baskets out during home sporting events to collect socks and other winter apparel.
Mount Aloysius - All SAAC reps will be collecting donations from their teammates throughout the duration of the campaign
La Roche - The Redhawks will have boxes set up for donations at the main entrance of the Kerr Fitness Center during the duration of the campaign and at all home basketball games (1/18, 1/25, 1/29).
Medaille - The Mavs will be setting up laundry baskets outside every basketball home game, along with having SAAC members sitting at the table to explain the cause to fans and supporters.
Penn State Altoona - The Lions will be collecting socks at every home game between now till Feb 2. They will also be taking in other clothing materials such as hats, gloves, and scarfs as they will also benefit others as well. THere will be bins located at all home games and at the athletic complex throughout the campaign.
Penn State Behrend - The Lions will be promoting SAAC for Socks at all home games for the month of January. Gathering boxes have been placed at six different locations on campus, as the Lions have also included their Student Government Association. The student newspaper will run a story in the coming weeks. All SAAC members will be sharing the campaign with their respective teams.
Pitt-Bradford - The Panthers will have a collection bin outside of their home contests. Additionally, on Saturday, February 1, they are hosting Pitt Greensburg and are going to set up a contest where all fans in attendance will throw socks at bins. Those who make the socks into the bin will win a prize.
Pitt-Greensburg - The Bobcats will place bins at the home basketball games and will donate to a shelter in Westmoreland County.