WILMINGTON, N.C. - UNC Wilmington's Student Organizations Committee (SOC) has named the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as recipient of the group's "Making A Difference Award" for the months of August and September.

      SAAC has already conducted three major initiatives early this year - "Stop Hunger Now," Remember The Troops, and the CAA Blood Drive. Each was a resounding success, drawing praise from student and campus leaders.

      "We're very proud of our student-athletes," said Kelly Mehrtens, UNCW's athletic director. "They are not only champions in their respective athletic arenas, but are dedicated to making a difference in our community and world."

      Members of UNCW's 19 intercollegiate teams joined the Wilmington community on Saturday, Aug. 29, to package 100,000 meals at Trask Coliseum to benefit international relief organization "Stop Hunger Now." More than 500 volunteers assembled from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. to package meals to be distributed to children in Nicaragua. The event was part of University Million Meal Week, which featured events at UNCW, UNC Chapel Hill, N.C. State and East Carolina.

      The meals were packaged in a streamline assembly process that combined rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, flavoring and mixture of 21 vitamins and minerals into reasonable servings of six.

      SAAC then honored the memory of those lost in the 9-11 tragedy by conducting a "Remember The Troops" collection drive on the opening day of the UNCW/Courtyard By Marriott Men's Soccer Classic on Friday, Sept. 11. SAAC representatives asked fans to donate non-perishable items, which were boxed and mailed to troops overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, including a National Guard from Wilmington stationed in Iraq. Cash donations were also accepted to purchase additional supplies and offset shipping costs.

        Fans filled two large boxes with items such as magazines, single drink mixes, foot powder, deodorant (gel), disposable razors, toothpaste/brush, bar soap, hand sanitizers, wipes, music/dvd's, gum/hard candy, beef jerky, individually wrapped snacks, mechanical pencils/pads, power bars/granola bars, nuts, socks and sun block/aloe.

      Donors from the campus and community flocked to Trask Coliseum in record numbers on Thursday, Sept. 24, for the CAA's annual blood drive to benefit the American Red Cross. The event drew a record turnout of 263 registrants. A high of 257 productive units was collected, surpassing last year's previous high by 56 units. A total of 92 first-time donors appeared for the collection.

      "This is a nice honor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and UNCW's student-athletes," said Rodney Young, the group's advisor. "SAAC takes great pride in getting involved and giving back to the community."

      The SOC is a Chancellor-appointed committee that is dedicated to recognizing the registration and accomplishments of student organizations on campus.