Dec. 21, 2011

ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio University athletics partnered with the Athens County Children Services Department to participate in the 2011 Santa Tree Project for the fifth-consecutive year.

Through this year's project, the athletic department adopted five children in Athens County, who were in need of some extra help during the holiday season.

"We had so much support from our staff and coaches for this year's Santa Tree Project," said NCAA Eligibility and Student-Athlete Success Coordinator Rachel Ramey, who coordinated the event on behalf of the athletic department. "It is comforting to know we had so many people who were willing to help those children in need. It is safe to say that our athletic department has helped to make our five adopted children's holidays much brighter."

Members from the athletic department brought in gifts ranging from pro wrestler toys, Nerf footballs, clothes, hair accessories and gift cards.

"For hundreds of children, the gifts they receive from this project could be the only gifts they receive." said Andrea Reik, Director, Athens County Children Services. "For some parents, paying the bills and putting food on the table is all they can do. That's where the Santa Tree project comes in."

Since the beginning of the Santa Tree Project 24 years ago, the group has project provided gifts to over 1400 children in Athens County.