COLONIA, NJ – The East Coast Conference Community Engagement Award of Excellence is presented annually to the institution that hosts an activity on their campus that embodies the principles of community engagement by building relationships and bridging the gap between campus and community. This year's winner is Roberts Wesleyan as the Redhawks take home the honor for their work with the Pirate Toy Fund, which has donated more than 400,000 toys to Rochester-area children since 1995.

"We are thankful to be recognized with the ECC Community Engagement Award of Excellence and for the opportunity for our SAAC to participate in the Pirate Toy Fund," said Paula Mitchell, Roberts Wesleyan Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Student Development and SAAC Advisor. "This award is a clear reflection of our institution's mission and focus on character development. Our student-athletes continue to cultivate compassion and purpose through community engagement and service."

RWU student-athletes, coaches, and staff dedicated more than 300 service hours to support the Pirate Toy Fund. These efforts included helping to move and set up a new warehouse, sorting toys, and organizing community events, significantly contributing to the Toy Fund's mission of bringing joy to children in need across the Greater Rochester area.

The economic impact of the Redhawks' contributions was substantial. The volunteer manpower used to tear down and set up shelving in the new warehouse saved the Pirate Toy Fund over $10,000 in billable hours. In addition to hands-on labor, the Redhawks also played a key role in organizing toy drives, including a Pepper for Pirate event and a Toy Drive hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), both of which collected thousands of toys for children in the community.

"It is an honor for RWU SAAC to receive the ECC Community Engagement Award of Excellence for our involvement in the Pirate Toy Drive," said RWU SAAC Co-President Kaeleigh Romero, a senior on the women's soccer team. "This initiative reflects the compassion, leadership, and unity of our student-athletes who came together to bring joy to children and families in need.  We are proud to be recognized for an effort that speaks to the values at the heart of our community."

For their efforts with the Pirate Toy Fund, Roberts Wesleyan was also announced as the 2025 Division II Award of Excellence winner, becoming the first three-time winner of the Award of Excellence in its 12-year history ('21, '24, '25)

The ECC Community Engagement Award of Excellence comes with a $500 grant from the ECC to be used towards community efforts during the 2025-26 season.