Courtesy of Westfield State Sports Information

WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Westfield State University's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee partnered with Westfield's Volunteers in Public Schools for the 12th straight year to help deliver a merry Christmas for children in Westfield Schools.

Each varsity team 'adopts' a family to provide gifts for children in need.  This year the Owls provided gifts for 35 children from the Franklin Avenue Elementary School and the Highland Elementary school.  Collectively the student athletes raised more than $700 to provide the gifts.

Westfield State Associate Athletic Director Nancy Bals and VIPS coordinator Tina Macy delivered more than 100 gifts to the schools on Tuesday, December 20, which are then picked up by the children's families.

The SAAC consists of two student-athletes from each of Westfield State's 21 varsity teams. The committee focuses on community service, student leadership, and assisting the Westfield State administration with programming for the University's nearly 500 student-athletes.