With the help of his Baldwin Wallace University teammates, Yellow Jacket football player and sophomore international business major Zach Cuglewski has been able to help feed over 300 mouths and provide clothes for those in need at Lakeside Men’s Emergency Shelter.
The Parma native had the idea to do a community service project with his good friend and teammate Josiah Sessler, a sophomore sport management major.
“We collected all supplies, clothes, protein bars, chips, snacks, water and Gatorade. With money received from donations, I went to Walmart and bought toiletries, socks and underwear,” Cuglewski said.
Cuglewski and Sessler first volunteered at the shelter in December 2023.
“We gained inspiration from TikTok and how influencers were making an impact for those in need,” said Cuglewski.
Sessler wasn’t the only Yellow Jacket teammate who helped Cuglewski kickstart this. Jacob Reed, a sophomore criminal justice major, also played a role.
“I had no doubt I wanted to help. I was taught to treat your neighbors like yourself,” Reed said.
Cuglewski added: “Being on the football team has been a big brotherhood, but nowhere I have been has been as tight as this group. It really is just a family the community and relationships that are formed.”
Although only some players went to volunteer to help Cuglewski hand out food, other teammates made an impact by donating money totaling $500.
Cuglewski said he is thankful to Charles Fairchild, the director of university dining and auxiliary services, for his contribution.
“Fairchild donated 40 to 50 pizzas for this past event,” Cuglewski said.
What started off as a single event with just the help of the football team has now gotten others involved. Cuglewski said he had three to five people come up to him who wanted to help in the future.
“We don’t do this for the attention; it’s all for Jesus Christ. I’m blessed to be where I am to be in the position to help other people in need,” Cuglewski said.
These Yellow Jackets are not done buzzin’. Their next outreach event will occur later this semester at Lakeside Men’s Emergency Shelter.
