BATON ROUGE — Before entering final exams, each of LSU’s athletic teams had a chance to participate in the “Christmas with the Tigers” event for the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
The athletics department adopted a total of 22 underprivileged children. Each team was responsible for donating or raising money to provide gifts for the children. LSU’s athletic administration, academic center, athletic trainers along with the cheerleaders and dance squads also adopted children for the event.
“What an unprecedented opportunity to bring children into the college setting and plant seeds for their future,” Catholic Charities Executive Director David Aguillard said. “These children will remember this Christmas event forever and will always associate LSU with generosity and fun.”
The children along with their families had the opportunity to interact with the student-athletes and take pictures Monday. Each child got to open one gift in-front of the team that adopted them and even take a picture with “Santa” Mike the Tiger.
The Tiger volleyball team visited with 2-year-old Joseph after practice preparing for the NCAA Tournament and gave him loads of clothes along with a sit and spin music toy.
“The kids are so excited to see us because they look up to us,” senior outside hitter Kyna Washington said. “To get everything they want for Christmas makes their year. It was a wonderful experience to help out those that are less fortunate. They remember these types of things for the rest of their life.”
Jennifer Sparks, mother of two, told the Catholic Charities after the event.
“This was such a treat,” Sparks said. “I want my own children to grow up be the kind of fine young men and women the LSU student athletes, cheerleaders and staff are. It’s so inspiring to see young people who care so much about others and about their community. The event was really an inspiration.”
Simone Nunnery, mother of 4-year old Kobe, also added, “We really enjoyed ourselves. My son had a great time. Now Kobe is talking about when he goes to LSU someday. His new best friend is Mike the Tiger!”