Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State Student-Athletes Gear Up for Holiday Season
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Nov. 28, 2001
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State student-athletes are preparing to spread yuletide cheer to the Central Valley children this holiday season.
As part of the Big Hero/Little Hero partnership between Fresno State, Fresno Rotary and Valley Children's Hospital, 44 Bulldogs will be on hand to celebrate Christmas with their little hero on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
As a long-standing community association between the Bulldogs, Fresno Rotary and Valley Children's Hospital Fresno State student-athletes will bring wrapped gifts to the party which will be held at the Starlite Room (Garden Level).
"Working with Valley Children's Hospital has been an absolute thrill and honor," said Fresno State's associate athletics director/senior woman administrator Diane Milutinovich, who oversees the Big Hero/Little Hero program. "Holidays should always be special in the hearts of children. Our student-athletes love the children's fighting spirit and their smiles heap heartfelt appreciation."
In addition, the Fresno State equestrian team and local chapter of the California Dressage Society is hosting a Toys for Tots Dressage Show on Dec. 15, 8:00 a.m., at the on-campus Student Horse Center. Each participant is being asked to bring an unwrapped toy as part of his or her entry fee.
Still further, in conjunction with Community Medical Centers, Bulldog Stadium will be the site of the first annual Christmas Toy Drive this Saturday when Fresno State hosts the Utah State Aggies in its final home football game of the season. Kick-off is 12:00 p.m.
Donations of toys should be new and unwrapped. Three collection bins will be stationed on the east, south and west entrances of Bulldog Stadium.
"We're always happy to be a part of a charitable act as the one being run by Community Medical Centers," said interim athletics director Scott Johnson said. "We urge fans to participate in such a worthwhile cause. In the holiday season we all want to do everything possible to help those less fortunate."
For more information on the toy drives, contact Mary Lisa Russell (559) 459-1806 or Patrick Johnson (559) 278-5457 for the Bulldog Stadium toy drive and Megan McGee (559) 285-4426 for the equestrian toy drive. For more information on the Big Hero/Little Hero Christmas party, call (559) 278-6184.