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Beyond their performance on the field, Yellow Jackets show they are more than student-athletes by doing good in the community.
With the help of his Baldwin Wallace University teammates, Zach Cuglewski '27 has been able to help feed over 300 mouths and provide clothes for those in need at Lakeside Men's Emergency Shelter. The Parma, Ohio, native had the idea for a community service project with his good friend Josiah Sessler '27 of Fort Myers, Florida.
They first volunteered at the shelter in December of 2023. "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 noted.
"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 '27 from Plant City, Florida, also played a role. "I had no doubt I wanted to help. I was taught to treat your neighbors like yourself," Reed stated.
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 with 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 is also thankful for Charles Fairchild, who is the director of BW Dining Services. "Fairchild donated 40-50 pizzas for our past event."
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 the same shelter.
A version of this story, authored by PR major and Yellow Jacket wide receiver Donovan Birkett '26, first appeared on cleveland.com.
Cleveland's WKYC-TV 3 also aired an in depth look at the good work of Cuglewski and his Yellow Jacket teammates.
