The Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey Student Committee helped families in need this past winter by donating toys and games to Toys for Tots at local collection centers and canned foods to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside. As both events were a huge success with hundreds of toys donated, the food drive was an astounding endeavor by the student committee. Each of the state’s five accredited athletic training programs (Rowan University, Seton Hall University, Montclair State University, Kean University and William Paterson University) donated a combined total of 2,376 lbs of food! Due to this tremendous effort, the Food Bank of NJ named the ATSNJ Student Committee as the Division 1 Winner of the 2013 Students Change Hunger Food Drive. The student committee was presented with this award during the business meeting at the Annual ATSNJ conference on April 7, 2014. “Even the smallest amount of food donated can help but the amount donated by the student committee was an amazing effort.” says Laura Sodano, Hunger Action Coordinator. “It does not go unnoticed and is truly appreciated.” “The fact that all five universities throughout the state were able to pull together truly shows the determination and caring spirit of ATSNJ and future athletic trainers.” says Michelle Lima, an athletic training student at Rowan University. “It goes to show that in times of need, there is always a helpful hand.” Photo (From L to R): ATSNJ President John Furtado, Kevin Briles, Michelle Lima, Laura Sodano, Joe Vogler, Dan DeShong For more information on what the ATSNJ Student Committee is doing, you can “like” them on Facebook by clicking here: https://www.facebook.com/ATSNJstudent Story by Michelle Lima