There�s nothing fun about staying in the hospital, especially when you�re a kid and it�s the summer time. This week, a couple of Monarchs players brought smiles to some of the kids staying at Shriners Hospital for Children in Sacramento.

Kim Smith and Scholanda Robinson, along with CCPOA put on a Reading Time Out for the children as part of the Monarchs Read to Achieve program. After being introduced to the kids, both Smith and Robinson read two books, posed for photos, signed autographs and handed out goodie bags filled with gifts, courtesy of CCPOA.

�We both had a lot of fun with the kids today,� said Smith. �We saw their faces light up when we were reading the books. It is really neat to be out here and be in the community.�

Some of the kids weren�t able to attend the reading party, so Smith and Robinson visited their rooms in the ICU section of the hospital.

In addition to the goodie bags, CCPOA also made a book donation to the kids.

�I tell my daughter that little phrase all the time, �If you don�t use it, you�ll lose it,� and I try to convince her that if she doesn�t use her brain she wont be able to learn as well,� said Robinson. �Even for some of these kids who maybe can�t go out and do a lot of things right now, just getting into a book and exploring could be a good thing for them.�

Read to Achieve is a year-round campaign to help young people develop a life-long love for reading and encourage adults to read regularly with children.