In what has become a staple with the College of Staten Island Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the group partnered up on Wednesday with a group of students from P.S. 45 in Staten Island for its annual Halloween party in collaboration with United Activities Unlimited, Inc. (UAU), Out of School Time (OST), and Children's Activities After Three (CAAT), all groups that support and nurture after-school programming for elementary school children.

The brainchild for the annual Halloween-fest belongs to Ednita Lorenzo, former CSI women's soccer standout and SAAC President, who has been behind the UAU program and is now the OST Director at PS 45.  Together with current SAAC President Michael Massa and CSI Assistant Athletic Director Katie Arcuri, the entire SAAC group communed to put all of their ideas together and came up with various activities for the party. With the help of P.S. 45 and CSI SAAC funding, they were able to prepare crafts, goodie bags and decorations to make the experience a quality one for the younger students.  This year, CSI's Danny the Dolphin was also a star of the show.
 
With CSI athletes and staff dressed in costumes along with the children, the group enjoyed decorating, face-painting, and more activities. CSI Assistant Director Katie Arcuri was there to help run the show, "I am always taken aback by the level of commitment our students show, and the excitement by the children when we visit.  It's such a great experience for all of us.  It's become an event we all look forward to each year."
 
At one station you could see CSI students and Danny being wrapped in toilet paper by giggling students who were dressing them as mummies for Halloween. At the next station some staff and softball players are turning students into zombies or cats with face painting.  In the background music filled the room as the P.S. 45 students, among them, pirates, princesses and superheroes taught one another and the athletes the newest dance moves. The afternoon ended with everyone's favorite part of Halloween: the sweetest of treats given out by the CSI crew.
 
Not only was the day about the painting and candy, it was about the future, something not lost on Lorenzo, who was a recipient of CSI's SAAC Inspiration Award, for her model of community service and giving back.  "I'm proud that this has now become a tradition between CSI and UAU. We are now in our third year collaborating and I couldn't be any happier about all that CSI has given back to our UAU students," Lorenzo said. "My students were beyond excited to have the student athletes, staff and especially the Dolphin at our school. The arts & crafts, mummy wrap and treats were just what they needed to enjoy the holiday and be kids."
 
Lorenzo and Arcuri both agree that the partnership will continue through the years.  If the faces and feedback of the kids involved are any indication, the Halloween get-together is one that is incredibly beneficial for all parties involved.

"As first year director, I'm happy to have tremendous encouragement from UAU and the PS 45 community. It's events such as this that allow me to work with various aspects of my life that have had such a significant impact," Lorenzo added.  "Just a little something can make a child's face light up. And it's that impact that stays with them. I hope more athletes can attend the next event and see how influential they can be." 
 
The CSI SAAC and UAU plan to get together again soon for a sports clinic and holiday party in December.