AAU Cares: Unity in Our Community

Back in June, the AAU Track and Field Virginia decided they wanted to do an AAU Cares event that included a Red Cross blood drive and a voter registration. With current affairs revolving around Black Lives Matter, they arrived at the desire to do “something” that would make a difference in their community. Working closely with parents and the track and field committee, they started with the idea of a solidarity march to show the unity in their community. Local members of law enforcement as well as politicians and first responders were interested in participating. Unfortunately, due to the COVID pandemic they had to reduce the number of people gathering for the event from 259 to 50 and postpone the March. However, they teamed up with The NAACP and the American Red Cross to do a voter registration drive and to donate blood due to the blood shortage caused by the pandemic. They stood strong with a successful four-hour voter registration and a five-hour blood drive that helped save 87 lives with their donations.

“We thank the AAU Cares Committee for standing with us and supporting our event by sending emails, t-shirts, masks, and signage! This is proof positive that working together like this let’s everyone know AAU truly does care!”