SUPERIOR, Wis. – Yellowjacket Athletics has released the schedule for its Week of Giving 2020. This year, although it will look different from years past, is the fifth annual event.
 
"Our Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has worked hard over the years to build our Week of Giving into something that our community and our student-athletes look forward to," UW-Superior Director of Athletics Nick Bursik said. "So when we met early this academic year, one of the things on the agenda was whether or not to move forward with the Week of Giving, knowing that we would have to do things differently, and the response was a resounding yes."
 
The marquee event of the Week of Giving has always been the popular Caroling for Cans. Caroling for Cans has always happened the Thursday of the Week of Giving, and it will again in 2020, albeit with a different look.
 
"Because of COVID-19, we aren't going to be able to go door-to-door this year, singing carols in exchange for non-perishable food items. Instead, we are going to be shooting a short video of our athletes singing and posting it online during that Thursday, with the hope that we can solicit donations which we in turn will turn into a food donation."
 
Caroling for Cans proceeds will benefit the food bank at St. Vincent de Paul in Superior.
 
"With the donations we receive, we'll be able to work with our partners at Super One and purchase a great deal of food, benefitting St. Vincent, a group that relies on our donation annually, and like so many other places desperately needs donations this year," Bursik said.
 
Those wishing to donate can go online here, and then select ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT from the drop-down menu.
 
Other activities include the annual donation to the Toys for Tots drive, sponsored by the Superior Fire Department, as well as a visit of sorts to New Perspective Senior Living in Superior.
 
"In previous years we would take a day and visit New Perspective and our athletes would have lunch with the residents. This year, instead of having lunch our athletes are putting gifts together for each of the residents. It's not the same as spending time with them face to face, but we wanted to make sure our friends there know we are thinking of them during the holidays," Bursik said.
 
The toy donation will also have a different look in 2020. In previous years, student-athletes would purchase gifts for names on the UW-Superior Giving Tree. This year, the gifts purchased will go directly to Toys for Tots. The donation will be made Monday, December 7.
 
New this year is the giving of thank you cards by student-athletes. Every student-athlete will be writing notes of thanks and gratitude to people on campus who have made a significant impact in their experience at UW-Superior.
 
"Just like everyone else, we have had to change the way we do things. It's important to us to still be able to make an impact locally, and it's important to us to let the community know we are thinking about them during this difficult time," Bursik said. "It's just a small way for us to do our part for those in the community who do so much to support us."
 
2020 Week of Giving Schedule
Monday, December 7 – Toys for Tots donation
Tuesday, December 8 – Student-Athlete Thank You Cards
Wednesday, December 9 – New Perspective Senior Living Gift Delivery
Thursday, December 10 – Caroling for Cans Music Video Release
Friday, December 11 – Caroling for Cans Food Bank Purchase
 
For more information on the 2020 Week of Giving, please contact Jon Garver at 715-395-4614.