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La Plume, PA – Keystone College student-athletes made the holidays brighter for nine local families this years by holding an Adopt-a-Family gift-wrapping party in the Gambal Athletic Center on Tuesday night.  Student-athletes representing the Giants' 19 varsity athletic teams, along with coaches, collected and wrapped presents to give to families in need in the local community this holiday season.   
 
Keystone's student-athletes and coaches who participated in Tuesday's gift-wrapping party enjoyed being able to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate during this holiday season.  The Giants also gained a deeper perspective on the challenges many people face and how fortunate they are to be able to compete in intercollegiate athletics.  Furthermore, the student-athletes took away life-long lessons about the importance of civility and community involvement. 
 
Both coaches and student-athletes alike raved about Tuesday's experience.
 
Head women's soccer coach Noel Cox took a leading role in organizing this year's event and received enthusiastic support from Keystone's other athletic programs.    Coach Cox stressed the importance of recognizing the privilege that being a student-athlete is saying,  "One of the most meaningful ways we can recognize how fortunate we are as student-athletes and coaches is to always connect with our communities and to give back.  The holidays are an important time to help others in need and that is what we set out to do this holiday season with our athletic teams each adopting families.  When you share small acts of kindness you are giving back more than you might think, and just to know that our student-athletes took an active role in making the holidays brighter for some families is a really special feeling and great to be a part of."
 
Head men's soccer coach Joe Schneck echoed Coach Cox's sentiments: "It's important for us as coaches and athletes to step back and realize all that we have and the privilege of being a part of something bigger than ourselves as a team and in representing Keystone College. Adopt-a-Family is not about us at all, it's simply about helping these families have a more enjoyable holiday than they would have had. The cool part is that giving generously, which our athletes definitely did, tends to change the ones who are giving as much as the ones receiving. A lot of the teams and groups on Keystone's campus don't just do this around the holidays, but are generous all throughout the year."  
 
Softball player Antonette Scialpi was excited about having the chance to make the holidays special for local families.  "As a Keystone student-athlete, I think it is important to give back to our community," stated the junior.  "Many families in our area are struggling financially and are unable to give their families the everyday essentials let alone have an enjoyable Christmas. Christmas is a holiday every child looks forward to and I'm ecstatic that I can make a difference in their lives for the holidays!  We have to always keep in mind that not everyone has same the privileges that we do and we should always be grateful for the family we have and the people we surround ourselves with."   
 
Sal Turelli, a two-sport student-athlete who plays for the men's soccer and men's lacrosse teams at Keystone, spoke of the strength of the Keystone community and the humbling nature of the experience. "It is always good to see the teams all come together for a good cause, said Sal.  "I think giving back to the community around this time of the year is so important to us, because there are so many families that can use the help. A lot of us don't realize how good we have it and this is definitely a grounding experience every time we do it.  From this experience you learn a lesson that we all could use: to appreciate more and expect less."
 
Sophomore women's soccer player Sarah Heintz stated that Tuesday's gift-wrapping experience has inspired her to incorporate the spirit of giving into her life going forward, saying, "From this experience, I have learned that even the smallest things in life people will appreciate. From a toy to a gift card, the family will be grateful and having a part in that means a lot. In the years going forward, I will definitely do this in my hometown every year and I will give back to my community more often and not just around the holidays."
 
Sarah's brother, Steven Heintz, Jr., a men's soccer player, spoke specifically about the family his team adopted and how making a difference in their lives has a positive impact on his own experiences over the holidays.  "It can be challenging around the holiday season to get everything done, and the family my team had was a single mother with five children," said the sophomore goalkeeper.  "It's nice knowing that we helped her out, and she can focus her time and finances on doing things with her family during the holidays, since the holidays are about family.  I have learned to be grateful for what I have, and for being able to spend time with my family.  Knowing that I can make a family happy and have an enjoyable holiday season makes me happier and helps me enjoy the holiday season even more." 
 
Amber Crews enjoyed seeing student-athletes from all of Keystone's teams come together with one common goal.  "I enjoyed participating in the Adopt-A-Family gift-wrapping party because all the student-athletes were able to come together as one to do good for someone in need, stated the senior women's soccer player.  "This experience brought us all together as teammates working on the same team of giving. Keystone student-athletes can show people what it's like to be a part of one big family and bring joy to their homes for the holidays.  Amber also looks forward to the thought of what this year's Christmas will be like for her team's family, and what she herself can continue to do in the future to make a difference: " What I learned from this experience and will utilize in my life going forward is that helping others in need is all the accomplishment I need to help me know that I have a purpose on this Earth. To see the smile on a little kid's face on Christmas morning, when he/she unwraps a present that my team and I helped wrap, is the greatest Christmas present that I could as for."