Staten Island, NY – Armed with candy, treats and gifts in hand, six members of the  Wagner College football program visited with several sick children at Staten Island University Hospital last month in an effort to brighten their Valentine's Day.
 
Pictured above (left to right) are Sidiq Soulemana, Brett Buzzard (back), Mike Milone, Steve Ciocci, Vivian Alestra, Child Life Specialist at Staten Island University Hospital, Drew Ledet and Director of Football Operations Bill Cole.
 
“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.”