The ACU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has partnered up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help raise money for a local child’s wish.

The SAAC does not have the right to publicize the name, age, gender or medical state of the child. However, it was made clear that the child is from Abilene. The SAAC is working with representatives from Make-A-Wish to get the rights to publicize.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Make-A-Wish has granted 204,059 wishes as of Feb. 6, according to the Make-A-Wish website. Doctors, social workers or even parents refer children to Make-A-Wish.

Ann Varner, director of athletics academic services, said that the student-athletes heard about social clubs adopting children’s wishes and thought it would be a good idea for the SAAC, which promotes volunteer opportunities for athletes to get involved with their communities. Varner supported the decision wholeheartedly.

Varner said in order to grant a wish with Make-A-Wish, you must raise a minimum of $5,000. The SAAC has committed to raising the minimum amount and more if possible. Varner said it could take up to $7,000-$10,000 for the wish to become a reality.

“We felt like people would be willing to give more knowing it was a local child,” Varner said. “It made it more personal to have a local child.”

The SAAC will fundraise to reach the $5,000 goal. One way that the SAAC plans on getting the funds is through penny wars. The game involves athletic teams carrying around jars asking for pennies. The pennies are counted at face value. If a donor drops any silver in the jar, the worth of the silver is counted off from the total amount of pennies you earn. Whoever comes away with the most pennies wins the game. The money will go to the Disneyland wish – silver and all.

Ijeoma Moronu, senior health promotions major from Fort Worth and chair of the SAAC has helped raise money all four years at ACU. She also plays volleyball for the Wildcats.

“It means a lot to me to help sponsor a local child,” Moronu said.

One way that students and social clubs can get involved is participating in the 5K walk on May 7 throughout the surrounding neighborhood. The details of the walk are to be determined. The money raised will benefit the local child. There will also be fundraising events at Chick-fil-A on March 30 and at Rosa’s on May 7 following the walk.