Pies, Presents, and the Power of Giving: Spreading Holiday Cheer Through Service

Maryland Athletics and Maryland Made worked with the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) and the Prince George County Resource Center to create lasting holiday memories across the county for those who need some extra cheer. 

It started with its annual Adopt-A-Family effort as Maryland’s student-athletes and staff gave back to local Prince George’s County families to ensure the less fortunate had gifts to open at the holidays.

“It’s important to SAAC to help out local families because the community already does so much to help out the University and Maryland Athletics,” Director of Student Athlete Engagement for SAAC and track & field athlete Andrew Harmon said. “Everyone here wants to be able to reciprocate that love for the community and SAAC is just lucky enough to be in that position where we can make that happen. There’s also no better time than the holidays to spread that love in the community.”

This year, the Terps took on the most families they have had in recent years, adopting 13 local families and raising money to buy them all the gifts from their wishlists. On Monday night, the SAAC came together to wrap these gifts and prepare them to give to the PG County Child Resource center.

“Seeing everyone come together at the SAAC meeting to wrap gifts was incredibly rewarding,” Director of Share the Shell for SAAC and track & field athlete AnnaMarie Tretola said. “Shopping for the families was meaningful on its own, but once all the gifts were laid out, the true impact of what we were doing really set in. Being part of something that directly supports local families — especially during the holiday season, when generosity can mean so much — feels truly special.”

“Seeing the student-athletes wrap gifts for our families at the Family Support Center Prince George's of Child Resource Connect meant so much and I'm so appreciative to have been a part of the wrapping party,”  PG County Resource Center’s Director of Family Support, Mariela Hakans, said. “Many of the families we serve are going through difficult times and the holidays can be an overwhelming time as they navigate new challenges. For some of our children, these gifts are the only ones they will receive and what the students are doing shows kindness, empathy, and community. Their excitement to wrap gifts warmed my heart because they were wrapping for families they've never met but who will be forever grateful.”

Maryland also created a new Pie-A-Terp event, where student-athletes and staff had the chance to pie a select list of student-athletes, coaches, and staff to raise money for Toys for Tots.

“Being able to launch a new initiative like Pie-A-Terp was nothing but extraordinary,” SAAC President and men’s lacrosse’s AJ Larkin said. “Having the whole community come together through different departments, student-athletes, and teams made it so valuable. Having student-athlete engagement has been something that we have been trying to develop more over the fall, and I can confidently say that this was a complete success. As quite literally a cherry on top, we were able to give just under $1000 to the Toys-for-Tots foundation, which made it that much more special.”

An abundance of athletes poured in throughout the three hours, taking the chance to pie a Terp for a good cause. The event was a hit in bringing the athletic community together and a fun way  for the student-athletes to relieve some stress and have fun before finals.

“Initiatives like Pie-A-Terp for Toys for Tots bring student-athletes together while giving back to the community and supporting meaningful causes,” Director of Student-Athlete Engagement for SAAC and women’s golf’s Julia Garcia said. “Pie-A-Terp, in particular, united athletes through a fun and engaging fundraiser. I even had people I had never met before lining up to pie me, which really showed how eager our athletes are to help others. Through initiatives like these, we’re able to build stronger connections, meet new people, and make a positive impact not only on the communities we serve, but within our own student-athlete community as well.”

Maryland Made’s Assistant Director of Student Athlete Development, Colby Wilson, helped organize both events and was blown away by their success. 

"Seeing this event take off the way it did in year one was amazing,” he said. “I am so proud of this group for spreading the word and making such a fun day to raise money for such a great cause. It’s been awesome to have the space to innovate and add new ideas in my first year here, and have such invested student-athletes who make these visions come to light. Pie-A-Terp will be around for years to come and get stronger every year thanks to our SAAC group and the support of the UMD staff!”