On Sunday, March 3, the University of New Haven Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted their annual polar plunge to conclude their Make-A-Wish week, where the committee hosted events to raise money for Make-A-Wish Connecticut.
At 12 p.m. on Sunday, over 100 student-athletes arrived at Prospect Beach in West Haven and plunged into the cold water to support the cause. Make-A-Wish kids Troy, Addilyn and Evan attended the festivities with their families and cheered on the student athletes as they ran into the water.
“The goal of this event is to help end our Make-A-Wish Week, which is the week where we raise money for Make-A-Wish through SAAC,” said lacrosse player and SAAC member Lindsey Belmonte. “So, we start on Monday, and we do an event every day and then we end with the Polar Plunge. Make-A-Wish Connecticut comes along with some Make-A-Wish kids and it’s a really great way to end the week.”
According to Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance and Student-Athlete Services Sara Richwine, 100% of the proceeds raised over the week go to Make-A-Wish Connecticut, to help grant a wish for local children.
“I think it was amazing,” said Richwine. “There were so many athletes here to support Make-A-Wish, and we do this every year in hopes of granting another wish. I’m just so excited about how many kids showed up.” Student athletes from all teams gathered to support the cause, took pictures together and talked with the Make-A-Wish children that were present at the event.
Make-A-Wish Connecticut Senior Community Development Manager Christina Alt said she was thrilled to see how many student athletes attended the polar plunge.
“To see the student athletes come out today… to see them show up, year after year in such a big way for our Wish kids means everything to us,” said Alt. Alt also said that the average cost for a wish in Connecticut is around $10,000.
SAAC’s goal every year is to raise enough money to grant one wish, so every dollar that the student athletes raise goes towards that goal in hopes of granting a wish.
“SAAC works so hard every year, planning multiple events on campus, raising money through an online giving platform, sharing with their friends and family about what we do, our mission, while also driving those vital funds to help Make-A-Wish come true for a local child fighting a critical illness,” said Alt. “We’re just so grateful for all that they do. We’ve got three wish kids here today that came out to cheer them on.”
Alt shared the experiences of the Wish kids who attended the event. Addilyn’s wish is to have a pink-interior cottage in her backyard which has not yet come true, but Make-A-Wish hopes to grant it this spring. Troy is another Connecticut child in the Make-A-Wish foundation, whose wish to go to Disneyland came true in December.
“They have such a fun time getting to meet all the athletes and interact with them,” said Alt. “And they love getting to cheer them on.”
SAAC has raised $4,445.70 towards their goal of $10,000. Leading in donations are the cheerleading squad, men’s track and field and cross country, women’s lacrosse and women’s rugby.
“I thought it was really fun,” said lacrosse player Helena Dunwoody. “I like that all of the teams got together for a good cause.”