GALESBURG, Illinois – Sometimes the smallest gesture can go a long way in helping someone to smile or get through a rough day. The Knox College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) took it upon themselves to try to help those who may not be able to be around family or friends due to the current events.
The SAAC representatives asked athletes from all sports to write letters to senior citizens in the Galesburg community. “We as athletes and students are lucky to be back here with our friends, teammates, coaches, and teachers, but not everyone has the luxury to be around and embrace their friends and family during this time for various reasons,” said Casey Hipp, a senior softball player and President of SAAC. “So we wanted to write these letters to seniors because we know that this time may be extremely difficult for them as they are not able to have any visitors and have been met with isolation.”
Many of the student athletes put their own spin on the cards by including such things as word search, tic-tac-toe, Sudoku and coloring. There were some notes that even included a desire to encourage a return letter and establish a ‘pen pal’ relationship.
“We as athletes wanted the community to know that we are here for them during difficult times and that the Knox family is thinking of them,” added Hipp. “I was super excited to have had such a large number of letters, and SAAC really works hard to make things like this happen even during a pandemic. It seems like such a small gesture, but I think it is really going to mean a lot to those who received a letter.”
With over 160 Knox student-athletes participating it was an exceptional effort by all to reach out and try to make a member of the Galesburg community’s day brighter.
***Story courtesy of Knox College***
