Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital Welcomes Kangaroos

 
submitted by: Roving Roo Reporter(Nashville, TN)

On Friday February 26 the Nashville Kangaroos Football Team got together and made a rather special road trip, even though the footy season has not started yet. This road trip, while not a long one (it is actually just down the street from our home ground), is arguably one of the most important they will make this year. Nashville is home to some of the finest medical facilities in the nation and as such, patients from all over the country come to receive the very best care. The youngest of the patients are at the Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Nine of the Rooboys showed up to see the kids. Being an Australian Cultural Group, they brought a number of Australian themed handouts, including coloring book pages of Australian animals, a Word Seek of Australian animals, an Australian-English dictionary, USFooty playing cards, a whole basketful of mini-footies, and plenty of signed copies of the 2009 Nashville Kangaroos team photo.

Then, the kids and their parents, came to the Children's Stage to meet the Kangaroos.
Some of them were shy (quite understandable), others curious. But when they got their footy and started to play with the Rooboys, the smiles and laughter came flooding out. For the next 90 minutes everyone had fun, especially the kids. And after all, that is what it all about.

"We began planning this day three years ago," said President Jeff Persson, "and today it finally happened. This may be the most important event of our year. We want to do this every year."

Here is what the boys had to say:

"Simply fantastic" - co-captain Damian Serong
"This is so cool" - Dave Ackley
"I wouldn't miss this for anything" - Travis Quigley
"What a great chance to give to the community" - Mike Guinsburg
"We should do this again for sure" - Cliff Cosnahan
"This totally makes my weekend" - Nick Parker
"This is so much fun" - Todd Haralson
"We brought the spirit of Australia here today" - Neil Cumming

Many heartfelt thanks go to those who made today possible:

• 
  
  Stephanie Van Dyke, Director - Volunteer Services, and her assistant Angela for coordinating our visit and allowing us to bring some joy and a little bit of Australian culture to some very special children

  
  
• 
  
  Nick Parker, Board Member and Rover, for organizing the Kangaroos' visit

  
  
• 
  
  The Rooboys for donating their time - Damo, Nizza, Tonka, Quig, Goon, Ackers, Chopper, Nugget, and Peeps

  
  
• 
  
  Denis Ryan, USFooty AusKick Coordinator, of the Baltimore-Washington Eagles for support and guidance

  
  
• 
  
  Amie Kennedy, Administrator USFooty for support

  
  
• 
  
  USFooty for donating the footies

  
  
• 
  
  Barry Bryan of Tubb Printing Company in Mt. Juliet, TN for donating the team photos

- League Administrator
(1438)