Dec. 15, 2009

DEKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois student-athletes and athletic staff had the opportunity to get into the spirit of giving this holiday season, when members of the Huskie family came together for the second annual Adopt-a-Family program. Over 200 student-athletes joined together to participate in the Adopt-A-Family program, donating time and presents, in hopes of bringing joy to families throughout the community this season.

NIU Athletics partnered with Hope Haven and Safe Passage in this year's Adopt-A-Family effort, a program through which Huskie student-athletes and staff purchase, wrap and donate presents to less fortunate families in the community. The athletic staff adopted five families from Safe Passage, while eight Huskie sports teams provided gifts to a family from Hope Haven.

"This program has grown since last year," said Associate Athletics Director Monique Bernoudy, who directs the program for the Northern Illinois athletic department. "I know it will continue to grow for next year. The whole experience was very fun for everyone involved, and the student-athletes find joy in giving back to the community."

Beginning in late November, each team was given one families' "wish" list and asked to shop and provide gifts for individuals on the list. On Dec. 7, more than a dozen student-athletes spent four hours wrapping all of the gifts that had been provided by the Huskies staff and student athletes. The gifts were then delivered to the organizations on Dec. 9 by the student-athletes.

More than 200 student-athletes came together to help make this holiday season one that these local families will remember. Student-athletes from softball, baseball, gymnastics, volleyball, track and field/cross country, women's tennis, cheerleading and women's soccer donated presents and volunteered their time shopping, wrapping gifts and delivering presents to families at Hope Haven.

"This season is really about giving back," said Bernoudy. "I really saw the student-athletes enjoying the opportunity to give back. The student-athletes love to engage with youth and being able to help kids at Christmas time meant something special to our young people."

The families involved with Adopt-A-Family will also have the opportunity to come to Huskie Athletics events over winter break. Men's basketball will host Maryland Eastern Shore, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. and Temple Dec. 30 at 7 p.m., while women's basketball takes on UIC Dec. 29 at 7 p.m.

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