MARQUETTE — The Northern Michigan University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has accomplished much this holiday season.

SAAC partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation in an effort to grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. Community engagement is a core value of NCAA Division II, according to a recent news release from NMU Sports Information, and the passion for giving back runs deep in Northern student-athletes.

With a goal of $5,000 to grant a wish, SAAC has so far raised just over $2,500.

This is the link to donate: https://secure2.wish.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=6164&team_id=49986

The committee also held a giving week from Dec. 1-8, collecting nonperishable foods to donate to the Room at the Inn warming center in Marquette.

The committee also made tie blankets and gave them to Northern’s Behavior Education Assessment and Research Center.

Additionally, SAAC partnered with the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul and The Mining Journal for this year’s Teddy Bear Toss where fans at a recent NMU hockey game could throw their stuffed animals on the ice during a game intermission to be donated. And on Dec. 10, the group distributed those items to multiple locations.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.