EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Student-athletes from various University of Evansville sports programs have been spreading holiday cheer in the local community with several community service projects over the last few weeks.
 
During the Community Outreach Day for men's and women's basketball on December 3, members of the baseball team dressed as Purple Santa, the Gingerbread Man, Buddy the Elf and Ace Purple as they put smiles on the faces of more than 4,000 elementary school age children.  The next day, women's tennis, women's soccer, softball, baseball, men's soccer and men's basketball were back out at local elementary schools.
 
The group visited St. Benedict Cathedral School, Vogel Elementary, Lodge Elementary, Hebron Elementary and the Community Action Program of Evansville (CAPE) to read Christmas stories and hand out candy canes and Ace Purple coloring pages to the children. They promoted the Just Read! Program, which was developed in order to teach kids the importance of reading at an early age while utilizing student-athletes as positive role models.
 
UE student-athletes also traveled to St. Benedict Cathedral School, Vogel Elementary, Lodge Elementary, Hebron Elementary and the Community Action Program of Evansville (CAPE) reading Christmas stories and passing out candy canes.  Players from six UE programs all took time out of their Reading/Study Day to participate in the holiday hospitality.
 
"It was a great change of pace for us as far as students having the kind of charge schedule that we do have. The better part was to see the effect that it has on the kids, they enjoying themselves, getting to learn from a different perspective from us (students-athlete), who are learning as well," men's soccer player Arlick Ntabana said.  "That was the best part more than anything else. We've been there (at that age), they get to see where we are now, what they can aspire to be. Whether it's a student-athlete, or students to further themselves, they get to interact with people other than their teachers or peers, and it's great from a social and academic aspect. "
 
The student athletes were dressed in Santa hats as well as elf and gingerbread costumes. Purple Santa and Ace Purple were also both on hand to make the children smile.
 
Aces student-athletes also participated in the Toys for Tots program. They purchased over $900 worth of toys and delivered them to the Old National Bank branch at Weinbach and Lincoln Avenue, which is a collection site for Toys for Tots.  They worked very hard to raise money through donations and bake sale to help local children in need.
 

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