Oct. 8, 2009
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Alumni Association's Adopt-A-School program is hoping to send Cunningham Elementary School students to UNLV's homecoming football game on Oct. 17 against Utah at 7 p.m. The Adopt-A-School program pairs the UNLV community with Cunningham Elementary, where many of the students are homeless or living below the poverty line.
The Alumni Association, which has committed to purchasing 100 Rebel Fun Packs - a combination of football tickets and food vouchers - to reward students who are excelling in Cunningham's accelerated reading program, is challenging faculty and staff to help some of the valley's most deserving youth get a big dose of Rebel pride. The Alumni Association is asking UNLV's faculty, staff and alumni to match its contribution.
The $50 Rebel Fun Pack is available for the homecoming game and includes four game tickets and a voucher for hot dogs and drinks. Cunningham will receive $5 for every Rebel Fun Pack sold and each student will receive a T-shirt. To purchase a Rebel Fun Pack for a Cunningham Elementary School student, click here.
"This will be the first time that many of these students and their families have been exposed to a collegiate event," said Earnest Phillips, UNLV's Director of Marketing and Public Relations. "My hope is that the enthusiasm of the campus community will rub off and provide a memorable experience for each of these youngsters."
"Facilitating local kids getting to experience UNLV through attending a sporting event is a wonderful goal of the Adopt-A-School program on our campus," said UNLV Interim Athletics Director Jerry Koloskie. "We know it's going to be a great night out at Sam Boyd Stadium."
Seventy percent of the students at Cunningham, which is located near Sam Boyd Stadium, are on free or reduced lunch.
"Cunningham is located very close to the campus of UNLV, yet for some students, the reality of attending college seems so far away," said principal Stacey Scott-Cherry.
The program also serves as a way for faculty, staff and students to give back to the community that supports the university. The homecoming committee and CSUN are also planning a book drive for Cunningham's accelerated reader program. Additionally, UNLV student-athletes will visit the school throughout the year.
"I am so excited about this partnership and what it will offer our most deserving students," said Scott-Cherry. "Not only will this partnership help strengthen our library, it will also help connect our students with our local university."
The Adopt-A-School program was developed by a homecoming subcommittee with representatives from UNLV Athletics, admissions, CSUN, marketing and public relations, the Rebel Pride Council and student involvement and activities.
For more information about the Adopt-A-School Program, click here.
