Dec. 17, 2009

This holiday season, Boston University's Department of Athletics participated in two community service activities to benefit local youth.

As they do each year, the Terriers participated in the 13th 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. 14 and 15, reached schools in the Allston/Brighton area, Dorchester, Roxbury and the South End. A total of 288 Terrier varsity and club student-athletes committed to participate in the program and spread some holiday cheer.

In addition, more than 300 stuffed animals were collected in a teddy bear toss during the second intermission at the men's ice hockey game vs RPI on Dec. 11. All bears were donated to the Home for Little Wanderers, an organization in Boston dedicated to helping children at risk who otherwise would not receive gifts.