A group of about 40 student-athletes from Barry University, Eckerd College, Florida Tech and Lynn University went to Orlando January 18 to give of themselves and bring hope to distressed families.

Continuing a conference-wide community service project that started last year, the Sunshine State Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee coordinated a volunteer outreach at the Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee, Florida, which is a 70-acre, nonprofit resort for children with life-threatening illnesses. The resort features more than 100 villa-style accommodations, entertainment attractions, and whimsical venues specifically designed for children with special needs. GKTW provides accommodations, donated attraction tickets, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation. The organization has welcomed more than 93,000 families from all 50 states and more than 65 countries since its opening in 1989.

In 2008, about four dozen Sunshine State student-athletes and advisors represented six institutions at the project. The SSC SAAC has logged 340 volunteer hours at the Give Kids the World Village in the past two years.

“I’m glad that the SSC is paving the way in the efforts to get involved at the village,” said Natalie Feller, SSC SAAC president and Division II SAAC representative from Lynn. “Having an amazing experience there will help me promote participation at the national level.”

The group of volunteers was divided into five sections for the day. Student-athletes organized Christmas decorations, cleaned the “Heart House,” refurbished wheelchairs and strollers, and tidied an entertainment trailer.

“This was my second time taking part in this, and it was an enjoyable experience once again,” said Cristina Mazzone, Florida Tech SAAC president. “It was nice to see so many people putting forth their time to help these children and their families. I will definitely do it again next year.”

GKTW partners with more than 250 wish organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to fulfill a child’s wish to visit Central Florida. Led by the Division II SAAC, Division II student-athletes have been raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation since 2003. In 2007-08, the Sunshine State Conference placed second among all Division II conferences in raising more than $25,000 for the foundation.

“To volunteer at the Give Kids the World Village is an amazing experience,” said Maryanne Simkulak, SSC SAAC co-advisor from Barry. “All of the SSC member institutions’ SAACs are raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which sends wish children to the village.  Knowing and seeing the children at the village who have been helped by the money that was raised adds some reality to our conference-wide community-service event.”

-Courtesy Sunshine State Conference Assistant Commissioner Kelly Harrison.