DAVIE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University athletics department assisted the Jason Taylor Foundation in their 15th-Annual Cool Gear for the School Year event on Sept. 16, sending 60 young students on a shopping spree at Old Navy.
 
Each year, the Jason Taylor Foundation hosts 60 disadvantaged middle school-aged boys and girls from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties at Old Navy for a "back to school" shopping experience.
 
During the event each child was allotted $300 to spend on back to school gear. In addition to the monetary allowance, the children received assistance from Jason, along with current and former Miami Dolphins players, cheerleaders, and local celebrities. The purpose of the program is to help build self-esteem and eliminate unnecessary distractions to allow each child to focus on his or her studies, and not attire, during the school year.
 
For the sixth-straight year, NSU student-athletes were invited to serve as "celebrity shoppers". Women's basketball's Maria Bardeeva and Makenna Drabick, softball's Sydney Lageyre, Tia Williams and Sam Sisco, men's soccer's Nathanael "Squeaky" Washington, and baseball's Lucas Reid represented the Sharks. Here is what a few of them had to say about their experience:
 
Maria Bardeeva, Women's Basketball- "I absolutely loved this event. I attended it last year so I wanted to do it again this year. It's a great opportunity to help the kids from Miami-Dade and Broward counties as well as get inspired by what Jason Taylor has been doing for the community. I loved the kids, the atmosphere, and met many "celebrities"."
 
Lucas Reid, Baseball-  "The Cool Gear for the School Year event was awesome! We got to help kids pick out $300 worth of Old Navy clothes for the new school year. It was an unforgettable experience and definitely something I'll be looking to volunteer for again!"
 
Nathanael Washington, Men's Soccer- "It's easy for us to get sucked into our own worlds and forget about others who are struggling in our communities.  Events like this are a great way to refocus on things outside of ourselves and make a lasting memory for someone. Having the opportunity to help kids in need pick out some new fits so they can go to school drippin' is an opportunity I'm always about!" 
 
Tia Williams, Softball- "I really enjoyed this event and contributing to Jason Taylor's foundation. I learned so much about the child we helped shop for school gear, Frankie, and I cannot wait for future events like this one."