MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Department of Athletics has announced that its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) along with multiple corporate sponsors of the Muleriders are teaming up to host "Restaurant Week" in support of "Muleriders for Micah" which aims to help raise funds to send local 4-year-old Micah Gunnels on a memorable trip to the Memphis Zoo.   
"Each year, SAAC challenges itself with community outreach and this fall we were approached about Micah," recalled Associate Director of Athletics for Internal Operations / Compliance / SWA Sage Woodham who directs the committee. "He has been through so much at such a young age, and what better way to add joy to a young child's life, than to make a bad experience good, and a good experience great. We cannot thank each of the restaurants enough for their involvement in helping us help Micah. There's going to be one happy little boy at the Memphis Zoo."

Micah, who is a Magnolia native, was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on December 31, 2020. Throughout his battle, which is now in a maintenance/remission stage following chemo treatments, Micah would often ask his mother if they could visit the zoo every time they had to make a trip to the hospital to get "poked." Out of his avid love for the zoo, SAU's SAAC came up with "Muleriders for Micah" with the sole purpose of sending young Micah on a zoo trip outside of a time when he has to visit the hospital in order to help create a more positive zoo experience. A visit to the Memphis Zoo will be a first for Micah.
 
The fundraising week will begin Tuesday, April 5 and run through Friday, April 8.

As part of this fundraiser, a portion of sales proceeds by the local restaurants during specified times will be donated to Mulerider Athletics, who will in turn, put that money towards its aforementioned SAAC initiative "Muleriders for Micah."
 
In that, Mulerider Athletics is asking the community to consider supporting this initiative and these local businesses by having lunch or supper at any of these establishments during their designated day and time slot. Additionally, while doing so, please reference Mulerider Athletics when placing orders.