POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (December 14, 2009) – Although soccer players tend to be better known for footwork than singing talent, the Vassar College men's and women's soccer teams flexed their vocal chords to help bring holiday cheer to some of Poughkeepsie's residents on Saturday. As part of a “Holiday Extravaganza”, organized by Poughkeepsie resident John Flowers, 35 members of the men's and women's teams volunteered their Saturday in the midst of study week to distribute presents and sing Christmas carols and holiday songs to five nursing homes in the Poughkeepsie area.

“It was a nice experience and opportunity for our players to reach out to the community and make a difference,” said head men's soccer coach Andy Jennings. “Many of the residents were clearly happy to see us and enjoyed the singing – or our attempts to sing – but most importantly they were moved that these young people cared enough to do it.”

"It was nice to be able to do something good for other people, especially during the holiday season," added assistant women's soccer coach Nicole Sausto-Grady. "Even if we touched just one person after an entire day of singing, then it was all worth it."

For the last five Decembers, members of Jennings' teams have participated in the “Holiday Extravaganza”, organized by Flowers. Since 1993, Flowers and a group of volunteers have traveled to local hospitals and nursing homes to spread holiday cheer to patients.