Thanksgiving Meal Delivery

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) made Thanksgiving special for families in need this holiday season. The SAAC Community Outreach Committee created an initiative for student-athletes to raise enough money to deliver Thanksgiving meals to 11 families who live in the central Florida area.

Members of the committee reached out to UCF Athletics' local community partners and identified families from a local elementary school, a Boys & Girls Club and a nearby church.

"Having our SAAC leaders take the initiative to raise money amongst themselves to feed those in need during the Thanksgiving holiday, is why I do what I do," said Christal Peterson, one of the UCF SAAC advisors. "Being able to take care of others in the central Florida community hones in on the family culture we have here at UCF."

Student-athletes representing multiple sports took it upon themselves to hand deliver the meals to each family and organization.

"Dropping off Thanksgiving meals at the Boys & Girls Club really made me feel like we were able to use our platform and make a positive impact for these families," said women's soccer redshirt sophomore Adrienne Li, who serves as the Community Outreach Chair. "Seeing the smiles on their faces when we carried the meals in and knowing we were able to help others out during the holidays is priceless."

The Community Outreach Committee is just one of seven committees responsible for representing the student-athlete population by voting on NCAA legislation, planning events, fundraising and contributing to the overall well-being of the student-athlete experience while at UCF. Each sport has at least two student-athlete representatives who actively participate in SAAC.