Tis the season for giving – and that’s just what the Chattanooga Mocs did.
Indoor volleyball student-athlete Marcelle Baez Carlo, spearheaded an effort by the Student-Athlete Advisory Council to collect food and clothing to benefit the area homeless population through the CHATT Foundation.
Baez Carlo was inspired by Denzel Washington who said: "At the end of the day it's not about what you have or even what you've accomplished… it's about who you've lifted up, who you've made better.
It's about what you've given back"
“Through SAAC this year, I wanted to develop initiatives to address the specific needs of the homeless population in the downtown area,” Baez Carlo said. “The project aims to create a positive impact by offering resources and support to those experiencing homelessness in Chattanooga.”
She reached out to the UTC SAAC co-chairs as well as Executive Associate AD and Senior Woman Administrator Laura Herron who offered help and support from the start. SAAC also received help from Traci Hefner, Director of Case Management of the CHATT Foundation.
Donations came from the Chattanooga student-athletes as well as Mocs fans. Bins were given to each team to fill as well as located at various Mocs sports events in November.