Athletics leads PBC in Make-A-Wish fundraising

The University of North Georgia (UNG) Department of Athletics has led the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) in Make-A-Wish fundraising for the 12th consecutive year. In June it received the LeeAnn Noble Make-A-Wish Award, given annually to the PBC member program that raises the most funds for Make-A-Wish.

In 2020-21, UNG raised $10,841 for the Make-A-Wish program. UNG also hosted a Make-A-Wish reveal in November as 9-year-old Katie from Gainesville, Georgia, learned she would get her wish of a pink princess playhouse.

UNG student-athletes hosted a virtual 5K in April as well as "Workout for Wishes," and "Social Media Bingo." They also collected donations at home sporting events to meet the $10,000 goal during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"UNG Athletics prides itself on success in the classroom, in competition, and in the community," Brynn Seidenstricker, assistant athletic director for student services, said. "Our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee's commitment to Make-A-Wish is remarkable, and I could not be more honored to work with them."

UNG has led NCAA Division II Make-A-Wish giving for five years in a row, and those national totals are announced each fall. Since 2010, UNG has raised more than $195,000 for Make-A-Wish, including at least $10,000 in every year since.

The PBC Make-A-Wish awards were renamed the LeeAnn Noble Make-A-Wish Awards following the 2013-14 season. Noble was a women's golfer at UNG and former wish Make-A-Wish recipient. She appeared on the cover of NCAA Champion Magazine in fall 2013 and died in March 2014.