Toros SAAC Fills Harbor-UCLA Hospital With Holiday Spirit

Carson, CA -- Representatives from six Cal State Dominguez Hills sports made their “presents” felt last Wednesday at the Harbor UCLA Hospital as the CSUDH Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) teamed with Toros Athletics corporate sponsor Island Wireless to hand-deliver over 100 gifts and plenty more holiday wishes to the hospital's children.

Welcomed by Cristie Suzukawa-Abo, Director of Child Life Services at Harbor-UCLA, the Toros spent an hour and a half at the hospital, visiting over two dozen children in the process.

SAAC President Travette Pettigrew and SAAC Vice President Alana Bailey were joined by volleyball's Jenise Espindola, TaMesha Jefferson and Tiffany Bull, women's basketball's Ashley Johnson, Brittney Blankenship and Jessica Liang, women's soccer's Monique Castro, Yvonne Vasquez and Rachel Castro, softball's Katie Garcia and Michelle Miranda, men's soccer's Josh Walker, and CSUDH baseball head coach Murphy Su'a and wife Nina, and went door-to-door to hand out presents and visit with the children, their parents and hospital staff who monitored their condition around the clock, with Vasquez taking it an extra step by donning the Toro mascot for the children's benefit.

The 14 student-athletes were split up into groups of two, with each taking turns playing the role of Santa and Mrs. Claus. all hand-delivering multiple presents to children ranging from infants to teenagers, most of which were donated by Island Wireless and former CSUDH alumnus Richard Arakaki.

“The Cal State Dominguez Hills SAAC is always a welcome presence at Harbor-UCLA with these exceptional student athletes taking time out of their busy schedules each year to bring the spirit of the Holidays to our pediatric patients and families,” begins Suzukawa-Abo. “Being in the hospital is difficult during this time of year, especially for children, and receiving gifts helps these children find a way to celebrate in the midst of their illness. We appreciate the generosity and dedication to the community that [Athletics Director] Patrick Guillen, his staff, and the Toro student-athletes demonstrate.”

Print Friendly Version