FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University Student-Athletic Advisory Committee, with the support of many student-athletes from various Shark teams, were able to participate in a generous project that impacts the lives of many people in need on Wednesday.
The group gathered up with the Director of NSU’s Fort Myers’ campus, Kevin Hunter, M.Ed, to donate gently-used athletic equipment that Sharks athletics collected throughout the month of October, for a project called S.E.E.D., which stands for Serving Everyone, Embracing Diversity.
Originally founded by the NSU Fort Myers campus Physician Assistant class of 2012 on Nov. 1, 2010, the project is run by medical NSU students in Southwest Florida with the purpose of making a positive impression in the local, national and international community in an economical and practical manner.
“It’s always great to help out people in need. We’re fortunate enough to be able to continue playing the sport we love in college and we’re happy to give back whenever we can,” said a member of NSU’s baseball team, Steven Fleming. “It’s the least we can do! We have a great group of people here at NSU and we really look forward to helping others in any way possible.”
Each year since its inception in 2010, NSU students in Southwest Florida hold a health fair in Immokalee, Florida, at the Lady of Guadalupe Church. The fair provides free services to the community which include blood pressure and glucose testing. Other happenings are also available to anyone attending the event, such as glove and protective eyewear donations, nutrition and hygiene booths, children activities, and more.
Kelley Kish, Associate Director of Athletics also shared her thoughts about the project,
“Our Student-Athletic Advisory Committee was excited to join our NSU Fort Myers campus to impact the youth of Immokalee,” she said. “The Annual Project S.E.E.D. Health Fair is a wonderful initiative and our student-athletes saw the perfect partnership to give donations of sporting gear and equipment.” In relation to the institutions mission Kish added, “In the spirit of One NSU, we enjoyed the opportunity to join fellow Sharks to live our Core Value of Community.”
This year’s donation from Sharks athletics will take place as part of the S.E.E.D. Health Fair this Sunday, Nov. 8, and co-directors Christina Cellini and Maria Tsambarlis expressed their appreciation for the department’s efforts.
“As the co-directors of Project S.E.E.D., we are eagerly anticipating this Sunday as we host the fifth annual health fair in Immokalee,” they said. “We are so grateful for all the generous athletics donations that we have received. While the parents are getting their annual examination, the youth of Immokalee will have an vast assortment of health promoting activities to participate in. We would not be able to extend our health fair to include this sport activity section without the help of the NSU athletic department. We are looking forward to giving back to this community as we know it’ll be well appreciated.”