Thursday, December 04, 2003

The East Tennessee State University Student-Athlete Advisory Council provided holiday gifts to approximately 50 children under the age of 12 from the Johnson City area on Thursday night in the Memorial Center. The children who attended the event received a gift and a book from Santa. "I really enjoy helping the kids and being able to give them a Merry Christmas that they might not have had," said junior Adam Gustaitis (Los Angeles, Ca.) a member of the ETSU football team and a third-year participant in the holiday event. Over 60 Buccaneer athletes assisted with the fifth year of this holiday event. "It's a great opportunity for the athletes to get involved with the community," said Rachael Hayer-Hazell the assistant director from the Children First Development Center. "It also provides the children with a possible future goal to become a student-athlete." The Children First Development Center is directed by Linda Hoit, who helped organize the event sponsored by The Salvation Army, the U.S. Marines, and the Toys-for-Tots program.