NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For the fourth straight year, Belmont Athletics helped supply the needs of foster children of Middle Tennessee as part of the NCAA's Civic Engagement Day, which was held yesterday, Tuesday, November 4th.
The Athletic Department partnered with the Tennessee Alliance for Kids to host a TAK PAK Party. At the party, student-athletes, coaches, and staff packed backpacks (TAK PAKs) full of toiletries, toys, books, and clothing.Â
As children enter foster care, they are usually removed from their home quickly, without time to gather personal belongings. As they move from one foster home to another, the Alliance hope provides a sense of comfort and belonging through these backpacks -- TAK PAKS.Â
This event is Belmont's contribution to the NCAA's Civic Engagement Day. The initiative, adopted by the NCAA Division I Council in 2020, specifies that countable athletically related activities be prohibited on the first Tuesday after Nov. 1 every year to promote participation in civic engagement activities by athletic departments.Â
"Once again, our student-athletes and the entire athletic department stepped up and provided items for children who are going through the most uncertain and hard time in their life," said
Dr. Ryan Neises, Belmont's Director of Student-Athlete Formation. "This initiative continues our mission here at Belmont to not only to be successful on the field but engage our community in impactful ways."
For more information on the Tennessee Alliance for Kids, go toÂ
https://tnallianceforkids.org
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