Staten Island, NY – Armed with gifts in their hands and compassion in their hearts, five Wagner College student-athletes recently took it upon themselves to visit with several sick children at Staten Island University Hospital.
 
The student-athletes, soccer player Jen Emigholz and football players Steve Ciocci, Anthony Harper, Ricky Morgan and Ryan Wytanis, spent time interacting with the children in an effort to brighten their day during this holiday season.
 
“I think whenever the Wagner student-athletes come to visit, I think it's a beautiful coming together of two different groups of people who would not ordinarily meet. They both give to each other,” said Vivian Alestra, Child Life Specialist at Staten Island University Hospital. “I think it's a wonderful experience for the Wagner athletes and for our children as well.
 
“In the case of the football players, to see these huge young men be touched by small babies that are sick or by toddlers or by children in the hospital, I see the impact it has on them,” she continued. “I think it truly makes them feel very happy to be able to bring something to the children. They come in with so much zest, so much enthusiasm and so much love, that you can feel the love emanating from them.”
 
 “It was great to see the kids so happy that we came,” said Ciocci, who has made several similar trips to Staten Island University Hospital during his days at Wagner. “Each time we go, it really opens your eyes as to how lucky we are to be healthy and able to play college athletics. I really think we get more out of it than the kids do.”