Athletics Department | 2/5/2019 2:53:00 PM
MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragon Athletics Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) is raising money for Make-A-Wish by selling Wish Stars along with the red bucket donation challenge and a silent auction on Feb. 9 at the men's and women's basketball games against University of Sioux Falls.
The fundraising site can be found at msumdragons.com/make-a-wish.
Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. with the women's game set for 3:30 p.m. and the men's game to follow at 5:30 p.m. There will be inflatable games, face painting, Dragon tatoos and other activities for the family with a special Make-A-Wish presentation during the games.
"This is such a great opportunity for the athletes to give back to the community, and it gives us a chance to make a difference. I have a special connection with the Make-A-Wish foundation as my childhood best friend, Grace, fought cancer and had a wish granted," said Jill Safranski, a member of the MSUM women's golf team and SAAC representative. "I got to see how the wish comes with memories, stories, and moments that help everyone forget about the bad things in life. This is my chance to give back in honor of Grace. These kids who have the wishes granted are stronger than we can imagine, and I am so thankful that we can be a part of putting a smile on their faces. It will be a family-friendly event, and we hope to have a big crowd."
The Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, which is the primary student-based group that contributes to policy-making for the division, established a Make-A-Wish partnership in 2003 and has since become one of the foundation's largest and most consistent contributors.
This annual fundraising initiative is spearheaded by NCAA Division II and the NSIC to raise money for Make-A-Wish through various events led by SAAC. Division II has raised nearly $6 million toward granting the wishes of life-threatening medical conditions. Nearly 700 "wishes" have been granted through Division II contributions.
"Partnerships with NCAA Div. II schools, like MSUM, allow student athletes the opportunity to engage with the local community and make a difference by helping Make-A-Wish create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses," said Billi Jo Zielinski, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish® North Dakota (located in Fargo, ND).
