Jayhawks Spread Holiday Cheer at Lawrence Memorial Hospital
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas women’s basketball staff and student-athletes stepped away from the hardwood and headed over to Lawrence Memorial Hospital to spread holiday cheer on Friday afternoon as a part of the Crimson and Blue Project.
Friday’s visit marks the 22nd year that Kansas Athletics has visited Lawrence Memorial Hospital, spending time with patients and delivering gifts as a part of the Crimson and Blue Holiday Project, which is organized through Kansas’ trademark licensing office.
“We enjoy the opportunity to play Santa Claus for people that are at Lawrence Memorial Hospital,” Head Coach Bonnie Henrickson said. “We hand out KU gear and shirts, but more importantly smiles and holiday cheer. You certainly don’t want to be in the hospital this time of year, so we enjoy the opportunity to lighten the mood for a second and to make patients smile and laugh.”
This year 90 licensed vendors participated and donated approximately $20,000 worth of merchandise including t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, pennants and team posters. The KU merchandise will be distributed and utilized throughout the year to several different local charitable organizations.
“Coming to the hospital to visit is really good for our team,” said senior forward Bunny Williams. “It’s a humbling experience and good to bring cheer to patients during the holiday season.”
The trademark licensing program collects fees and royalties from manufacturers authorized to use KU’s trademark commercially. Royalties distributed from the program are used to fund student and student-athlete scholarships at KU.
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