SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee recently hosted its Week of Wishes to help raise money and awareness for Make-a-Wish and Make-A-Wish South Dakota, the initiative of NCAA Division II SAAC's.

The Yellow Jacket volleyball team welcomed Madelyn Sliper as an honorary captain while the football team enjoyed Josh Running as an honorary captain. Both have had wishes granted as part of the Make-a-Wish program. Sliper, who has cystic fibrosis, went to Atlantis in the Bahamas and go to swim with dolphins and snorkel with sharks. Running, who was diagnosed with hemolytic anemia, went to Hawaii and hiked Diamond Trail and snorkeled.

The Black Hills State SAAC raised over $1,400 in donations after selling Stars and holding a raffle for pumpkins painted by SAAC members along with 50/50 split pot tickets. The goal is to reach $5,000, which is what it takes to grant a wish to a child with severe medical conditions.

"It's an honor to be part of such a giving community and athletic department to help raise funds for a great cause like Make-a-Wish," SAAC President and distance runner Shelby Stoltz said. "Thank you to everyone who helped in our efforts to make a child's wish come true."

SAAC would also like to thank the following businesses for their donations throughout the Week of Wishes: Queen City Door, Queen City Tire, Eklund Chiropractic, Alpine Impressions, Bay Leaf Café and Safeway.