Dec. 17, 2007

BOSTON - Boston University's Athletic Department recently participated this holiday season in two community service activities for the benefit of area youth.

As they do each year, the Terriers participated in the 10th Annual Holiday Reading Program, which brings Boston University student-athletes into the local communities to read to youth. In conjunction with BU's Government and Community Affairs Department, the athletes read to elementary school children and then present each student with a book donated by Barnes and Noble at Boston University.

The five-day event, held this year during the week of Dec. 10 through 14, expanded beyond schools in the Allston/Brighton area and into Chinatown, Dorchester, Roxbury and the South End. A record-setting total of 285 Terrier varsity and club student-athletes committed to participate in the program and spread some holiday cheer as they spent time with area youth.

In addition, 350 teddy bears were collected in a teddy bear toss during the second intermission at the men's ice hockey game versus the U.S. National Under-18 Team on Dec. 8. All bears were donated to the Home for Little Wanderers, located in Boston, Mass.