AMHERST, N.Y. – Daemen College has received a $50,000 grant from the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation to support the college’s Center for Allied and Unified Sport and Exercise (CAUSE), a new initiative designed to offer recreation and competitive athletic opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The grant will be used toward funding Center for Allied and Unified Sport and Exercise (CAUSE) programs that provide persons with disabilities the chance to engage in athletics activities and to experience the benefits of sportsmanship, social interaction, and skills development. Participants are paired with Daemen students, student-athletes, faculty, and coaches in activities that promote sport, exercise, and socialization.

“We are deeply grateful to the Wendt Foundation for their generous support to build on our efforts for the Daemen CAUSE initiative that has had much success since being launched,” said Daemen President Gary A. Olson. “Extending the reach of CAUSE programs will benefit even more participants and caretakers in our community.”

Daemen Athletics established CAUSE in cooperation with the college’s Social Work and Special Education Departments with the goal of bringing recreational activities and caregiver support to the disabled community in the Buffalo Niagara region. Over the past few months, hundreds of participants from throughout Western New York have attended free weekly CAUSE sessions held in Daemen’s Academic and Wellness Center (AWC), located directly across the street from the college’s main campus.

The Wendt Foundation grant will also be used to assist with CAUSE efforts that offer primary caregivers the chance to relax and enjoy time to themselves, socialize with other caregivers, or use the state-of-the-art fitness center housed in the AWC.

“It is inspiring to see first-hand the positive impact CAUSE opportunities are having on the lives of persons with disabilities,” said Bridget Niland, director of athletics. “Given the strong interest in the program, we are excited about creating more opportunities for participants to enjoy and be involved in sports activities.”

More information on the Daemen CAUSE program is available by visiting daemen.edu/CAUSE.