USF Visits Shriners Hospital for Children
February 16, 2011 | Football, The Bullhorn - Your USF News & Social Me
USF Athletics and the Shriners Hospital for Children have partnered in an effort to bring joy to children that have faced an unbelievable amount of adversity. Student-athletes from all sports will visit the children every other Wednesday to take part in "Activity Time," which will include music, drama, arts and crafts, puppet shows, educational programs, video game competitions and many other interactions. The series of visits began today as members of the football team visited in two shifts to make jerseys with patients.
"I had a great time today at the Shriners Hospital," said linebacker Michael Lanaris. "I was able to meet some amazing kids that provide me and my teammates with a lot of inspiration. I'm so glad that we can use football as a platform to reach out to the community."
Lanaris was part of a group of 11 football players that visited on Wednesday. He was joined by George Baker, Sam Barrington, Ryne Giddins, Chaz Hine, Mike Jeune, DeDe Lattimore, Keith and Kevin McCaskill, Armando Sanchez and Kayvon Webster.
"Being at the hospital was an experience I'll never forget," added Webster. "Seeing the kids smile made me feel like I was doing something right and that was priceless."
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to age 18 with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients' ability to pay.
"I enjoyed talking and spending time with the children," said Hine. "They were delightful to be around."
