Dec. 23, 2011
MADISON, Wis. - Organized by senior Alaina Trgovich the Wisconsin women's tennis team adopted a local family in need for the holiday season.
"I think that we all are so lucky to be given the opportunity to get an education and all other benefits from this university in such a great place like Madison," Trgovich said."We should want to give back to the Madison community."
The team adopted a family through Project HUG, a program that helps families dealing with drug and alcohol issues.
The family consisting of a mom,six kids and some grandchildren put together a list of things that were most needed.
Some of the items on the list included socks, t-shirts, pajamas, cleaning supplies, toilet paper and paper towels. The team's generosity was able to fulfill the family's entire list and then some.
"It really put things into perspective seeing the types of items they were asking for, for Christmas," said Trgovich.
With the help of the entire team and coaches, the team was also able to purchase new dishes, pots and pans, silverware, glasses, hats and gloves, among many other items.
After shopping, the team wrapped all the presents and personally delivered the gifts to the family. The team spent about 20 minutes with the grateful family and left a lasting presence.
"The mom was very appreciative of everything, repeatedly saying thank you and hugging us when we left," Trgovich said. "The grandkids were very happy to see us and the large amount of gifts."
Despite coaching four national champions and receiving three different coach-of-the-year accolades, head coach Brian Fleishman reflects on this event as one of the highlights of his career.
"This was the greatest experience of my coaching career," he said.
Trgovich was inspired to initiate this selfless gesture through her volunteer work as a counselor on a 24-hour crisis help line and face-to-face counseling with teens and their families at Youth Services of Southern Wisconsin-Briarpatch.
"The team getting involved with this kind of gesture puts everything in perspective," Fleishman said.
This is the first year the team has adopted a family, and Trgovich hopes it won't be the last.
"I hope the tennis team makes this a tradition every holiday season," she said. "I also hope other teams hear about it and want to participate as well."
