BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The CSU Bakersfield volleyball student-athletes and coaches spent Wednesday morning donating their time to the Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County, Inc., "Pennies for Your Thoughts" cinnamon roll fundraiser.

The Roadrunners, continuing the enduring spirit of community service that is such a defining element of the CSUB Athletic Department, spent the morning serving up Hodel's cinnamon rolls to community members outside of the KGET Channel 17 News station in downtown Bakersfield. The proceeds of the sales will go to helping ADAKC with its mission of increasing community awareness while raising funds to support local families facing the challenges of living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

"Our team was thankful to be available for the Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County (ADAKC) this morning to help run their big fundraiser with Hodel's because we understand all of the donations are supporting such a great cause," said CSUB head volleyball coach Jolene Shepardson. "We have been over to the ADAKC center and spent some wonderful time with their clients. It was a very rewarding experience for us and we enjoy supporting such a beneficial organization for so many families. Today turned out to be an exciting day with all of our players energy and other local support the ADAKC were able to sell out of all their Hodel's famous Cinnamon buns!"

The event, which gave eight-packs of cinnamon rolls to supporters for a minimum $10 donation, was also sponsored by KGET, the Kern County Fire Department, the Bakersfield Condors and Hodel's. The Bakersfield Condors mascot, Colonel Claw'd, signed autographs and the hockey team sold discounted tickets with a portion of sales also being donated to ADAKC.

Wednesday's community service effort was just the latest event symbolizing the strong partnership the CSUB student-athletes have with the Bakersfield community, and in particular, the bond that the Roadrunner volleyball program has with ADAKC. In the past, the team has donated its time to spending time with the seniors receiving care at ADAKC by playing activities and games like table tennis  and human bowling.

While the indoor volleyball team is currently in its offseason waiting for the 2013 season to start up in the fall, the program is preparing for its first season competing in sand volleyball. Sand volleyball was added as an official sport at CSUB in August of 2012 and the inaugural 2013 season will commence in March. The same student-athletes who make up the roster for the indoor team will also make up the sand volleyball roster.

~www.GoRunners.com~