By Bill Hanefeld Jr., sports information director
December 27, 2005

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University volleyball team recently sponsored a local family for Christmas. The family included a single mother and her two children, an eight-year old son and a seven-year old daughter.

The players donated money which they combined with cash generated from team fundraising events to purchase gifts for the children, food items for the family and a $100 gift card for Wal-Mart.

Coach Steve Yarnell, who was proud of his team's efforts, stated, "Our athletes have opened their hearts to help make this Christmas a bit more special for a local family. This giving quality is something we hope to instill in our athletes at Bluffton to carry with them in their journey through life."