A trio of Monmouth College student-athletes took time out from final exams Tuesday to deliver holiday cheer to local special needs residents in cooperation with the Jamieson Community Center.
     
Monmouth's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) offered an Angel Tree for the 10th consecutive year and delivered packages for more than 30 special needs residents in Warren County. Two coaches joined the athletes in delivering the gifts, which were donated by the college and local communities.
     
For the student-athletes at Monmouth representing 24 varsity sports, taking time out before the winter break to help others was nothing out of the ordinary and provided a break from the stress of final exams.
     
"Finals week can be a stressful time," acknowledged SAAC co-adviser Brian Jordan, who also serves as the Fighting Scots' tennis coach. "This little diversion gives them a few minutes to focus on those less fortunate and look inward and rediscover just how fortunate they are. I'm amazed each year by the outpouring of support we get from the college and local residents to help those around us have a cheerful holiday season. The lessons our student-athletes learn from this project are just as valuable as any lesson they'll learn in a classroom setting."