Bobcats guards Matt Carroll and Kevin Burleson, along with team mascot Rufus Lynx, donned Santa hats and made their way from room to room at the hospital, taking time to visit with each child and bring them a special gift from the Bobcats.

The excitement and joy was evident on all of the children’s faces as the players and one very furry orange cat dropped by to say hello.

One young patient, a four-year-old girl named Kalea, was busy in the playroom vacuuming when the players stopped by. She was anticipating the visit and had even made them a special Bobcats Christmas ornament. Kalea was also ready for a little basketball action and led them into the game room to shoot some hoops. Carroll and Burleson were more than happy to oblige as they hoisted her up to allow her a better view of the rim.

A little further down the hallway, the players and Rufus met seven-year-old Hunter, who was all smiles as the players introduced themselves. He was excited to get a picture and autographs from the players and said he was going to show them off to his uncles, both of whom are big Bobcats fans.

“I think this is great,” said Robin Funderburke, Hunter’s mother. “It was really sweet of them to take the time to come. It will mean a lot to him for years to come.”

There were many more stories just like this as the players and Rufus continued to make the rounds through the children’s ward.

“It’s almost an indescribable kind of feeling,” said Carroll as he talked about visiting the children in the hospital. “By going to see kids that are having a tough time, you really feel like you’re doing something to have an impact.”

Even though visiting the hospital may be a small and simple thing, the players realize it can have an effect on the lives of children.

Burleson remembers meeting several professional athletes as a child and the effect it had on his life.

“I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet a lot of professional athletes while growing up,” he recalls. “Even though I might have met them for just a second, it brightened my whole day and my whole year. It was something that I continued to think about.”

Burleson and Carroll hope that their visit will have the same lasting impression on these kids.

While they hope the kids benefit from the visit, the trip to the hospital is an experience that also means a lot to the players.

“Every time you come out, you know you are going to take something away from it,” said Burleson. “I didn’t have a great practice today, but I knew that coming over here would brighten my day up.”