Making an Impact at Third Street Academy

This past fall, ECU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) presented Third Street Academy with a $5,000 check at this year's football home-opener from the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the Fiesta Bowl. ECU Athletics received the award after finishing second in NACDA's inaugural Community Service Award. The charity SAAC chose to receive this donation, Third Street Academy, a Christian school for boys located in Greenville that runs solely on donations, with a mission of educating and equipping the students in ways that bring dignity and hope while holding high academic standards, developing character and fostering spiritual formation.
 
"The money will make an amazing impact. It will help feed the kids and pay teachers. Every aspect of the school is run by money coming from donors," said Kelly Barnhill, Greenville native and member of the men's swimming and diving team.
 
Maggie Hallow, a sophomore on the volleyball team, is also a Greenville native. She has volunteered at Third Street Academy for about a year. Hallow helps with the pre-school class at Third Street Academy. Her normal day of volunteering includes recess, lunch and naptime. At recess, she helps the teachers monitor while playing games and interacting with the children to make sure they're having fun. At lunch, Hallow helps serve the kids, makes sure they're eating their food and creates lunch table conversation.
 
"The boys tell me they want to play football or basketball. They all say ECU is their favorite team. They really look up to student-athletes and we encourage them that they can be just like us," said Hallow.
 
Third Street Academy is not only a school but also a daycare. It's convenient for working or single parents because it provides multiple meals, education, after-school activities and many school tutoring and mentoring programs.
 
"The organization loves having new helping hands, it gives the kids something to look forward to: a new person! Volunteers really help take some of the weight off of the teachers and staff," said Hallow.
 
SAAC continues to increase student-athlete involvement at Third Street Academy and encourages generous Pirate Club members to join the effort. Visit http://thirdstreetacademy.org to find out more about the school and discover ways to get involved in the Greenville community.