SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) had its annual holiday party last night but with a new twist. The student-athletes invited two families from the Big Brother Big Sisters of San Diego County organization to enjoy dinner and they presented them with presents from their wish lists.
 
The SAAC is comprised of representatives from each of CSUSM's 14 athletic teams who is the voice of the student-athletes to the CSUSM athletic administration and NCAA. Members meet every other week to discuss NCAA regulation, sports-related issues, raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and help the San Diego County Community through various team services projects.
 
The night began with SAAC co-presidents Holly Isaacs of the women's soccer team and softball's Lindsay Cerulle welcoming each family.
 
"One of the best feelings in the world is giving," said Cerulle. "The positive energy is contagious; with just one act of kindness, you can inspire others to go out and plant the seeds of happiness through giving too."
 
"We are so fortunate to have spent an evening with two amazing families," said Isaacs. "Welcome to the Cougar family!"
 
In addition to fulfilling their wish list, Director of Athletics Jennifer Milo presented each family with season tickets to the CSUSM men's and women's basketball games.
 
"We felt that this was a great opportunity to not only help make a couple of local families' holiday wishes come true, but also to welcome them into the CSUSM Athletics family," said SAAC Advisor David Nathanson.
 
For more than 100 years nationally and 55 locally, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation's largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers ("Bigs") and children ("Littles"), ages 7 through 18, in communities across the country. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.