July 27, 2012

TUCSON, Ariz. - Preseason training camp is less than a week away, but that did not stop members of the Arizona football team from visiting children and families on Friday at the nearby University of Arizona Medical Center - Diamond Children's.

The Wildcats, who regularly visit the medical center, once again worked closely with UMC/Diamond Children's staff as well as volunteers from SHINE ON Tucson! to visit children and deliver jars of gifts and treats to help those with extended stays at the hospital.

The mission of SHINE ON Tucson! is to provide a sense of comfort to families when the unthinkable happens to their child, such as illness or trauma. During their stay at the Diamond Children's Medical Center, the goal of the organization is to provide programs that create a welcoming, warm environment for the entire family to feel surrounded by positivity and comfort.

Members of the Arizona football team make regular visits throughout the year at the hospital, and those visits continue even during the fall season. Wildcat players set aside time on Fridays before home games to spend an afternoon at Diamond Children's. These visits are just one of the many projects UA student-athletes participate in throughout the year. During the last academic year, student-athletes spent more than 3,800 hours volunteering in the community.

Arizona football opens its annual fall camp next week. The official reporting day is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 1. The first practice is slated for Thursday, Aug. 2.