Feb. 15, 2008

CANYON, Texas - In an effort to get involved in the local community, the West Texas A&M baseball team helped deliver flowers, cards, candy and stuffed animals on one of the busiest days of the year for The Flower Gallery in Amarillo, owned by Julie Bender.

"The baseball players made 60 Valentine's Day deliveries and were very organized, polite and helpful," said Bender. "I was highly impressed by their work ethic and I felt confident sending our arrangements out with them. I really appreciated their willingness to help and would welcome them back any time!"

All team members - including redshirt players - who were available mid-afternoon helped with the deliveries, bringing excitement and joy to the recipients.

"Michael McBroom [WT Director of Athletics] encouraged the athletic teams to reach out and get involved in out community," said head coach Mark Jones. "We felt that Valentine's Day would be a great time to volunteer our time to try to give a little love back to the community."

"Raymond Bergara and Brandon Wright [WT baseball graduate assistants] organized everything so well that I was able to carry on and run my business without interruption," added Bender. "We had a very profitable Valentine's Day at The Flower Gallery and it was due in large part to the WT baseball team. I'm very proud to support them and appreciate the opportunity to have worked with them today."

The Buffs travel to Edmond, Okla., this weekend for two doubleheaders against Central Oklahoma; games begin at Noon on both Saturday and Sunday. WT is scheduled to open its home ledger on Feb. 22 when the Buffs host East Central in a 1 p.m. game, followed by a doubleheader on Feb. 23 and the last game of the series on Feb. 24.