BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will turn a recent fundraiser’s success into Christmas cheer for needy families in the Boiling Springs area.

The SAAC hosted a Winter Wonderland Charity Ball on Saturday, December 6, on campus, and raised more than $1,000 during the event through ticket sales. All of those proceeds will go toward buying Christmas gifts for needy families. The event was planned and organized by the student-athletes involved in SAAC, a group made up of representatives from each of Gardner-Webb’s 21 varsity sports.

“It is wonderful to see our student-athletes so enthusiastic about helping others,” said Gardner-Webb Vice President for Athletics Chuck Burch. “We have a tremendous group of young people involved in our athletics program, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has shown a commendable level of care for our community with the planning and operation of a successful event. This was their idea. The SAAC wanted to do something different this year, and were determined to create an event that would have a positive impact in the community.”

Members of the Advisory Committee will be purchasing the gifts on Tuesday, December 9, at Wal-Mart in Shelby, beginning at 1:30 pm.