Nov. 9, 2004

FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State equestrian team will pair up with local veterans Wednesday to read to patients at Children's Hospital Central California during the hospital's quarterly Literacy Fair, taking place from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The 15 participating student-athletes will be stationed at various locations throughout the hospital and will read to individual patients from their selected books, all made available through donations. The children will be allowed to keep their books once they have been read.

"The student-athletes are looking forward to spending time with patients to promote literacy," head equestrian coach Becky Malmo said. "As college students, they realize that reading is an important skill to have and they want the children to understand this."

The Literacy Fair marks the equestrian team's second community service event at Children's Hospital. On Sept. 16 student-athletes brought horses for the children to interact with and gave patients a lesson in helmet safety.

"Volunteering at Children's Hospital has given the student-athletes a new outlook," Malmo said. "It makes them grateful for their health, their gifts and the opportunities they have. The team hopes to continue its service to the hospital for a long time."