The Central Arkansas Athletic Training Student Association recently held two successful fundraising and community activities that benefited the community of Conway.
The association held a silent auction of items donated from local businesses that raised $300. It also organized a Thanksgiving Food Drive. More than 200 lbs of canned and non-perishable food items were collected by students and staff at the University of Central Arkansas.
Allen Crawford, an assistant athletic trainer and instructor at UCA, serves as supervisor for the association.
The food and money were donated to the Bethlehem House, a Christian Transitional Shelter providing long-term shelter and services to men, women and children. The organization’s mission is to encourage, equip and motivate homeless and nearly homeless individuals to change their life situations.
The CAATSA mission is to provide athletic training students with an association in which common interests and goals, regarding the profession of athletic training, can be promoted. The association accomplishes its mission by educating the public about the athletic training profession and involving the students in various educational opportunities, fundraisers, community service programs, and social activities.
The association has had annual Thanksgiving Food Drives since 2003 and has participated in the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department’s Adopt-A-Highway Program since 2006.