Such is the motto of the University of Southern Maine's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). And they have the hardware to back it up. Members have done so much community service that they have received the school's top honor for it over any other campus organization, including sororities and fraternities.

According to Kim Turner, assistant athletics director and advisor to the SAAC, it's an award every campus organization wants, but it's not the focal point of the SAAC's efforts.

Turner said, "Awards or not, we want to continue doing what we're doing and continue to outreach."

She said the SAAC strives to perform some type of community service every month.

"We do everything from reading to school kids, to hosting a holiday party to having a blood drive," she said.

In October 2000, SAAC members teamed up with the Greek Women's Council to sponsor a blood drive. The event was a huge success with more than 100 pints of blood donated.

"(SAAC)'s turned into a real good situation," said Southern Maine Athletics Director Al Bean, "It's been really interesting to see the impact it's had with these students and I'm proud of the way they've come together."

Already in its fifth year, Bean said the SAAC has served as a model to other schools in their conference. He said the impetus for its formation was a desire to "foster student-athlete involvement in the athletics department, to let them know they are part of the process and make them aware of how things work."

It has also become a way for student-athletes to fit philanthropy into their busy schedules.

Track and field student-athlete Kevin Faria chairs the SAAC. He said, "Our main focus is to portray a positive image of student-athletes in both the college and surrounding community."

Faria said the town of Gorham, where the university is located, has been made aware of their good works and their commitment to be productive members of the community through many of the activities they organize.

An annual Halloween party sponsored by SAAC attracts 450 to 500 kids and parents from the community. Student-athletes run a haunted house and coordinate games for the participants.

As for the award, he said, "I think it's nice to be recognized, but it's not our motivation. I feel confident people take notice of what we do and appreciate it."

"SAAC doesn't need to win an award to know what it's doing is worthwhile," he said.

But it probably doesn't hurt.