They’re a little bigger than Santa’s elves, but 11 Temple football players still had fun spreading holiday cheer to children in the oncology wing at St. Christopher’s Hospital in North Philadelphia on Wednesday evening.

Led by freshman walk-on Steve Ciocci, the
players handed out child-sized Christmas stockings, hand stuffed with candy and homemade cookies, courtesy of the Ciocci Family.

The players also signed Temple football posters for the patients. The Owls then split into groups and visited individual patient rooms. Some visits were just a few minutes to wish the patients and their families happy holidays, while other room visits consisted of playing board games and video games.

“The hospital staff was very impressed with our group and were happy to see us roaming the halls,” said Ryan McNamee, director of player personnel. “The players did a tremendous job, volunteering their time and taking a study break during final exams to spread holiday cheer to those children and their families who have to spend this holiday season in the hospital.”