Students Give Tickets to Kids in Hospital, Poverty

On Tuesday, the Helping Heels, a UNC service group, completed its effort to collect UNC vs. Buffalo men's basketball tickets that will be donated to children from underprivileged families or those coping with medical problems.

"This is our first year and our first event," said Michael Songer, Helping Heels co-president.

"Our organization will give underprivileged children an opportunity to attend UNC games."

As of Tuesday, the organization boasted about 100 donated tickets. Songer said the UNC Department of Athletics also has promised to contribute tickets for the cause.

Beginning last week and finishing Tuesday, students and faculty members were given the opportunity to drop off their UNC vs. Buffalo tickets in the Pit or mail them to Helping Heels Co-president Adam Walters.

"We actually have two motives with this project," Songer said.

"One is to fill seats during the winter games, and the second is to give children the opportunity to attend."

About 300 children from UNC Children's Hospital, the Big Buddy Program at Campus Y and Mano, an organization that teaches English to immigrants, will be given the tickets so they can attend the game with a parent or guardian Dec. 17.

Many of the ticket recipients from UNC Hospitals will be children who have undergone surgeries or medical procedures.

"When children go through an illness, it is especially difficult," said Lynn Wooten, spokesman for UNC Hospitals. "Anytime you do something to lift their spirits, it's a good thing."

Songer said Helping Heels has received a lot of positive response and that the group hopes for significant student participation in the project.

"No one attends Christmas games even though students have tickets," Walters said.

"If they know they are not going, why not give them back to the community?"

The UNC vs. Buffalo ticket effort is Helping Heels' first service project, but the group plans to have ticket collections for future UNC athletic events as well.

"Carolina basketball is so special to so many kids, and to give them this opportunity - it's been a real positive response," Songer said.

"We think this is a really great opportunity for students to make a difference in the community and to make opportunities possible for the kids."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.