MACON, Ga. – After finishing up its fall practice schedule in October, the Mercer University baseball team spent some time giving back to the Macon community. The team continued its longstanding tradition of fall community outreach, compiling more than 75 hours of service as a program.

The Bears volunteered at several events throughout the fall, including trips to The Children’s Hospital in Macon, assisting with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Georgia’s Running for Ronald 5K race and a project at Scana Energy’s after school Homework Center at Macon’s Brookdale Elementary.

Mercer baseball sent more than 20 student-athletes to The Children’s Hospital in November for an afternoon visit with kids at the facility. The team, which split into groups, visited kids throughout the hospital while also playing a variety of games in the activity room.

“It was a very gratifying experience for our team to visit The Children’s Hospital,” said sophomore Charlie Madden. “We always enjoy hanging out and playing games with the kids and having the opportunity to watch their faces light up with a bingo victory.”

The team also helped with the Running for Ronald 5K race for the second straight year, serving as race monitor volunteers and helping run the event’s water stations.

The Ronald McDonald House is a temporary home-away-from-home for the families of seriously ill, critically injured or medically fragile children who are receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.  It is also a place where children who are receiving outpatient treatment are able to spend time with their families in a warm and cheerful environment.