Today is National Girls’ and Women’s Sports Day, and preparations to celebrate the day are in full swing.

The athletic department will host special events in recognition of the nationally promoted day, said Christina Runde of the ISU athletic department.

“Some of our female student athletes are visiting elementary schools in Ames, speaking about experience in women’s sports, promoting ISU sports, promoting opportunities for girls in sports and making communities more aware of women’s programs,” she said.

Runde said one of the promotions the athletic department is sponsoring is called “Take a Kid to the Game.” On Wednesday at the ISU’s women’s basketball game against the University of Colorado, all kids 18 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult, she said.

“Another thing we did to recognize female athletes was at last week’s game on Jan. 28 against Kansas State. We introduced all of the women’s sports teams at half-time,” Runde said.

And that’s not all.

On Saturday, a chili supper will celebrate National Girls’ and Women’s Sports Day from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at University Lutheran Church, 2126 Gable Lane. The supper is hosted by the Student Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) and ACCESS, an Ames women’s shelter.

All of the proceeds from the dinner will go to ACCESS.

“Basically, it was the idea of Lauren Muser, who is on the board of ACCESS, part of SAAB, and co-chair of the Student-Athlete Life Community,” said Pam Hayes Davis, adviser of SAAB.

One of the goals of SAAB is to have student athletes make positive contributions to the community, Davis said. She said SAAB thought the chili dinner was a good cause because it not only recognized National Girl’s and Women’s Sports Day, but it also tied together well with ACCESS.

However, trying to put together the event is not easy.

Davis said the 33 members of SAAB will solicit the donations, set up the facilities for the dinner and make the chili. “They’re basically doing the majority of the legwork for the whole thing,” she said.

All of the parties involved are optimistic and have great expectations for the event.

“We are expecting a good turnout of about 300 people,” said John Levy, student athlete, SAAB member, and Student Athlete Life community co-chairman.

This is not the only community service projects ISU athletes have been involved in.

“A lot of times, you’ll see negative publicity for athletes in the main media, and we are trying to show the other, more positive side of athletics,” Levy said. “Most of the student athletes are fine, upstanding citizens who like to give to the community.”

Muser, who came up with the chili supper fund-raiser, has her expectations as well.

“I think there is not enough awareness, and as a nonprofit organization, ACCESS does experience difficulty raising funds,” Muser said. “I would like to see the SAAB start working more with ACCESS to try to put together more projects like this.”

She said she would eventually like to see the chili supper turn into an annual event.

Tickets can be purchased at the Student Athlete Services office in Room 202 of Beyer Hall. Tickets bought in advance are $2 for children and students, and $3 for adults. Tickets bought at the door are $3 for children and students, and $4 for adults.