NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- As we continue to celebrate the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin's (CCIW) 75th anniversary in 2020-21, the conference will recognize the great work of our student-athlete through the 75 Acts of Kindness campaign. 

While COVID-19 poses many challenges for our conference members, our student-athletes are committed to continuing to give back to their communities. 

CCIW institutions will report on their various Acts of Kindness throughout the year with the goal of each athletics department performing at least 75 Acts of Kindness. This can include, but are not limited to, community service events like a canned food or clothing drive, volunteering to spend time virtually with local schools, or an event with an organization like Special Olympics. Additionally, student-athletes can also report on any community service activities they do on their own.

The conference will recognize these Acts of Kindness through April when institutions are recognized during the CCIW's end-of-year Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) meeting.

Here is a summary of our student-athlete's progress:

November 2020 Report
December 2020 Report
January 2021 Report
February 2021 Report

75 Acts of Kindness Totals (as of March 2021)

Augustana
A total of eight teams totaling 69 student-athletes took part in Polar Plunge for Special Olympics and raised $2,500. Participants of the polar plunge raise a minimum of $100 in donations in exchange for taking part in the event. 

Carthage 
Carthage SAAC members joined the Pinky Swear Pack in creating Valentine's Day cards for children at nearby hospitals and made blankets for children fighting childhood cancer. Additionally, student-athletes participated in the CCIW's Virtual Bingo Night with Special Olympic athletes. 

Carthage swimming & diving student-athlete Jordyn Bloode participated in a virtual run/walk with Special Olympics.

Illinois Wesleyan
A total of 276 student-athletes raised $13,300 while taking part in Polar Plunge for Special Olympics. 

Millikin
Members of the Millikin women's volleyball team pained "Kindness Rocks" and placed them around campus as an inspiration to the campus community during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

North Central
Members of the Cardinal women's soccer team volunteered at the Feed My Starving Children organization. The team helped box and ship food for children in impoverished nations around the world. Feed My Starving Children works with food distribution partners that help distribute meals and empower children to move from relief to development.

North Park
North Park's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted a food drive for a local pantry. The Vikings had participation from over 100 athletes and were able to donate over 700 items.

Wheaton
Members of the Wheaton football team and coaches partnered with Rise Against Hunger to package 13,500 meals.

75 Acts of Kindness Totals (as of March 2021)
 

Institution	Acts of Kindness Total
Illinois Wesleyan	340
North Central	149
North Park	125
Elmhurst	120
Carroll	90
Wheaton	86
Augustana	85
Millikin	75
Carthage	67

 
The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) was founded in 1946 and currently services nine member institutions including Augustana College (Rock Island, IL), Carroll University (Waukesha, WI), Carthage College (Kenosha, WI), Elmhurst University (Elmhurst, IL), Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington, IL), Millikin University (Decatur, IL), North Central College (Naperville, IL), North Park University (Chicago, IL) and Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL).