West Hartford, CT – Many people take for granted the ability to purchase gifts for family and friends during the holiday season. The University of Hartford Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) recognized that not everyone can share that luxury and found the ultimate way to make someone's holiday special.

Working with fellow student-athlete Amanda Dilworth, a senior on the softball team, SAAC adopted four families and provided a wealth of new unwrapped toys to give them during the holidays. Dilworth, who does her senior internship with Newington's Department of Human Services, set SAAC up with the “Sponsor-A-Family” program to assist four households in the Newington community.

Anthony Carrasquillo, a sophomore on the men's track and field team, went shopping to gather all the gifts. SAAC purchased everything from a Hanna Montana watch and a Poly-Pocket kitchen set to Legos, Elmo dolls and sneakers.

The members of the four households ranged in age from 2 to 48. A total of seven people will benefit from SAAC's goodwill. "Knowing that I was able to do something for someone else during the holiday season and to help give a family a Christmas they might not have had was very special for me," said Carrasquillo.

"It is nice to have a group of student-athletes who understand the concept of giving back,” said Alex Morley, SAAC advisor. “It was especially nice for the SAAC students to be able to help a fellow student-athlete's organization. These students really are grateful for what they have been given at the University and really showed it this semester."