By Dave Johnson
W&M Athletics
A year ago, there was only so much that COVID restrictions would allow. This year, William & Mary's Student Athlete Advisory Council made the most of what it could do — and that turned out to be plenty.
After raising $600 selling wristbands at a Tribe football game, SAAC spent every dime of it to help make a local family's holiday season special. It was through "Holly Days," an annual event designed to help families in need.
The "One Tribe, One Family" wristbands were created years ago in memory of Lt. Todd Weaver '08, who was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan in 2010. They were sold at W&M's Military Appreciation Game against James Madison on Nov. 13.
"The Weaver family wanted these wristbands to help a good cause," said SAAC president Alex Loukili, a member of the track and cross country team. "And the idea of Holly Days is making sure members of our community and their kids have a great Christmas.
"It's really cool to see everything that we've done, from the idea for a fundraiser at a football game to getting the gifts to delivering them to the parents. It's been great."
The Holly Days event was held at the Toano Fire Station on Dec. 13 and 14. Families identified by school social workers submitted a wish list to be placed on an angel tree.
For its family, SAAC took its $600 to a local Walmart and went all out. Two hoverboards were on their list, so hoverboards were purchased.
"It was rewarding to meet the families and give them all the bags that were raised for them," said volleyball player Kate Van Houten, SAAC's community service chair. "It was a really nice experience."
The SAAC did plenty of work to make this happen. But getting credit wasn't what it was all about.
"The kids said, 'their parents get to give it all to them,'" said Deidre Connelly, director of performance psychology at W&M, who helps with Holly Days. "And I was like, 'OK, you guys get it.'"
W&M has been involved with Holly Days for several years. Stephanie Leek, one of Holly Days' organizers, has been impressed by their work.
"When I saw what they brought in, they really completed the wish list," Leek said. "Quite honestly, it brought me to tears that they did so much. They went above and beyond anything I could have ever, ever, anticipated. It was really wonderful."
Leek praised the athletes for their dedication and energy to the program.
"This year and last year were a little different than it had been because of COVID restrictions, but having the athletes there has been wonderful," she said. "They've been able to interact directly with the families that attended.
"This year, it showed they still have this interest and commitment to what goes on in their community. I just find it amazing they're still coming."
Holly Days comes not only during the holiday season but also just before exams. The timing has turned out to be perfect.
"So instead of being stressed for finals," Connelly said, "they go out and make somebody's day."
