The 41 student-athletes of the Little Rock wrestling team took some time off from practicing and competing to spread some holiday cheer on Dec. 19.
As part of their annual holiday fundraiser, the team donated about 250 hams to the nonprofit organization Every Arkansan, which will use the hams to feed Central Arkansans in need.
“We’ll be giving the hams out to our families in nine communities,” said Zack Grimes, a mobile team lead with Every Arkansan. “We believe everyone should have the opportunity to gather for a Christmas family meal. We’ll provide the families with these hams and boxes of Christmas vegetables. We are trying to provide for those who can’t provide for themselves, and we are grateful to do it. We are grateful for these guys and all the support from the wrestling team.”
“In addition to the 250 hams for Every Arkansan, another 25 hams were donated for teachers and 15 for first responders as well as New Life Church who bought 15 hams to provide for families in need at their church,” head wrestling coach Neil Erisman said. “We ended up donating more than 300 hams for people in need this year.”
The student-athletes and their coaches were on hand for six hours on Dec. 19 to deliver hams for those who ordered them as part of the sixth annual fundraiser, but the best part of the day for the wrestlers was loading the 250 donated hams into Every Arkansan’s van
“This is a fun tradition for the wrestling team,” said Cody Wagner, a freshman business major. “We are giving back to the community while also fundraising. I think it’s a cool experience to be a part of.”
The ham sale serves as a dual fundraiser for the Little Rock wrestling team and Every Arkansan. The wrestling team met this year’s goal of delivering at least 200 hams to those in need. Overall, the wrestling team sold about 640 hams during the fundraiser.
“I am a supporter of the university as a whole and am an old wrestler from Iowa,” said Mike McClellan, who donated seven hams for charity. “The university is an important part of central Arkansas, and we want them to succeed in all facets. This is a great cause that these guys are supporting.”
Feature image top: Members of the Little Rock Wrestling Team loaded up about 250 hams that were donated to Every Arkansan to give to families in need in Central Arkansas. (Photo by Angie Faller)
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