ASTON, Pa. - Before the holiday break, members of the Neumann University baseball team took time out of writing papers and studying for finals to volunteer at The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation, which hosted a Holiday Hearts party for several local families.

The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation is an organization to help heal families across the Delaware Valley whose hearts have been broken by the sudden illness or sudden loss of a loved one.

NU Baseball Head Coach John Fleming appreciates the opportunities for the team to participate in community service. "It helps us further educate our guys on the struggle in life one may face. We are very fortunate to be able to show the student-athletes that helping can give you a sense of pride, knowing that you helped make someone smile."

"We know how much college students like to get up early," wrote Michael Barnes, executive director of the foundation in a thank-you note to Dr. Rosalie Mirenda. "The team members not only came out early to help unload several car loads of toys, they did it with smiles and a positive attitude."

The team members sat with the invited families and helped the kids play video games in the interactive gaming pods at Chickie's and Pete's in South Philadelphia. "The smiles that your students brought to the kids' faces was priceless," wrote Barnes.

"Thank you for making such a strong commitment to the local community by having your students and student-athletes participate in such meaningful service projects."

From Senior AJ Koscelansky: "I thought that helping with the Healing Hearts Foundation was a great experience and that it shows how Neumann Baseball is always willing to help with any services. It was a great experience to get to be part of all those kids' lives that day. We, as a team, built great relationships with everyone there that day and it shows that the community is a big part of who we are as Neumann University Baseball."

Junior Nick Panissidi: "I was very happy when Coach Fleming asked me to participate in the Healing Hearts Foundation. I truly did have a blast with playing video games and setting up the gifts around the tree with the kids. I feel like I've been blessed in my life with people who supported me, so I like when I get a chance to give back to others."

To learn more about the Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation, check out their website at: http://thebarkannfoundation.org/