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BOSTON - Highlighted by a record number for student-athlete participation in the annual Holidy Reading Program, Boston University's Department of Athletics recently took part in two community service activities to benefit local youth.

As they do each year, the Terriers spread holiday cheer through their 14th Annual Holiday Reading Program, which brings Boston University student-athletes into the local communities to read to school children. In conjunction with BU's Government and Community Affairs Department, the athletes read to elementary school children and then presented each student with a book donated by Barnes & Noble at Boston University. Elementary students were also presented with BU Athletics posters.

The two-day event, held this year on Dec. 13 and 14, reached schools in the Allston-Brighton area, Dorchester, Roxbury and the South End. A record total of 320 Terrier varsity and club student-athletes committed to participate in the program and spread some holiday cheer by connecting with more than 1,000 youngsters whose schools neighbor the Charles River and Medical campuses.

In all, 19 teams (men's basketball, cheerleading, men's crew, dance, field hockey, women's ice hockey, lacrosse, women's rowing, sailing, m/w soccer, softball, m/w swimming and diving, m/w tennis, m/w track & field, wrestling) participated this year along with BU's mascot, Rhett.

In addition, more than 500 stuffed animals were collected in a teddy bear toss during the second intermission at the men's ice hockey game versus Boston College on Dec. 3. All bears were donated to the Children's Hospital in Boston and the money raised, which totaled to more than $2,000, will go directly to the Special Olympics.