Several CSU Bakersfield student-athletes joined up with members of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity to deliver the 539 toys they collected to the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House on Wednesday.

The group not only brought the toys to the Ronald McDonald House, but also delivered the gifts to children next door at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. The student-athletes and Kappa Sigma representatives were able to visit with the children and their families in an effort to brighten the holiday season for those who are in the middle of hard times and need it the most.

"It was very uplifting to be able to go and contribute to somebody's day who may not be having that great of a holiday experience right now," said CSUB softball player Amy Paolercio (R-Fr., Fresno, Calif., Fresno Pacific). "Even though a lot of the kids were pretty young, that is something those little kids are going to be able to carry with them forever. That little toy that we gave them, their parents are going to be able to say 'Oh, by the way, this is how you got that. When you were sick, this is what someone nice did for you.'"

The Roadrunners also put up and decorated two Christmas trees in the Ronald McDonald House. The trees were donated by Discount Christmas Trees, which is owned and operated by the family of CSUB softball player Karlee Rodgers (Jr., Clovis, Calif., Colvis West HS).

Different Roadrunner teams, including the softball, baseball, water polo and track and field and swimming and diving squads, along with the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, helped collect the toys to donate. CSUB also received toys from community members at recent men's and women's home basketball games.

"Those 539 toys are things now that we can use all year round for our families, which is just huge, as well as Christmas time," said Scarlett Sabin, the Bakersfield Ronald Donald House Director. "We really appreciate all of CSUB's hard work. This relationship with CSUB in just the first couple months has already exceed what my expectations were and so I can't just say thank you enough."

The Ronald McDonald House program provides families who have to travel to get receive medical care with a free place to stay while their children are hospitalized. The organization provides a home-away-from-home atmosphere complete with a kitchen, a living room with movies and games as well as access to showers and laundry during trying times for families whether their child is in the hospital for one day or long term.

The CSUB Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) helped organize and run the event, which is just the latest CSUB community service outing at the Ronald McDonald House in 2011.

~www.GoRunners.com~