Wildcat Willie holds a stuffed bear during Northern Michigan University’s Teddy Bear Toss from a previous year. The event is hosted in conjunction with the Student-Athlete Authority Committee. (Photo courtesy of Northern Michigan University Athletics)

By ALEXANDRIA

BOURNONVILLE

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — Athletes from Northern Michigan University are getting into a generous spirit by celebrating Giving Week and opening up an easy means for the community to give back.

Since the week’s events are hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, opportunities to donate will be present around athletic buildings and events from Dec. 3-9.

“This is just one of the many activities that we put together to not only raise awareness for student-athletes but to gain community outreach,” said SAAC member Mia Strazny. “We’ll be nearing Christmastime, so giving week will essentially be about getting toy donations to be donated to families in need so we can give children a good Christmas.”

Donation boxes will be posted around NMU’s PEIF buliding as well as the Superior Dome.

Saturday, Dec. 9, will feature three games with donation boxes: women’s basketball at 11 a.m. versus Saginaw Valley State, men’s basketball at 1 p.m. also versus SVSU and the NMU-Michigan Tech hockey game at 6:07 p.m.

At the hockey game, SAAC will also hold its annual Teddy Bear Toss. Attendees are encouraged to bring a new or gently used teddy bear to the game where they’ll be prompted to throw all the bears onto the ice at once.

Strazny describes the ideal gifts as “something a younger child would be excited to receive.” There aren’t really any restrictions on the kinds of toys one can donate.

She also recommends bringing gender-neutral toys so it can “be applicable to many people.”

All toys donated, not just the teddy bears, can be bought new or donated gently used since SAAC is operating giving week separately from Toys for Tots.

Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 506. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.