Blinn College student athletes recently stepped up to the plate – figuratively speaking, of course – with a check presentation of more than $1,000 to support adoption awareness.

Blinn's football, volleyball, men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball teams combined to raise $1,062.50 for Here I Am Orphan Ministries, a Christian, nonprofit ministry dedicated to reaching orphaned children domestically and abroad.

Proceeds came from ticket sales at sporting events throughout the year and contributions from Buccaneer fans.

"I was honestly just amazed at the generosity of Blinn College athletics," said Hope Batchman, office administrator for Here I Am Orphan Ministries. "When we went to the games everyone was treating us so well and the children loved attending the game."

The support for Here I Am Orphan Ministries is part of Blinn's Adopt-a-Charity program, which supports local charities after the success of the baseball team's annual Turn Back the Clock games, in which the team would sponsor a charity and donate a portion of the gate proceeds. Blinn supported Adam's Angel's Ministry with its first Adopt-a-Charity campaign in 2013-14.

"This is a good life lesson for the student-athletes that life is much more than winning a contest," said Blinn athletic director Scott Schumacher. "It is good to give back to the community."

Last fall, Blinn student-athletes contributed 857 service hours. So far this spring Blinn student-athletes have totaled 782 service hours performed.

Batchman is the office administrator for the for the Here I Am Orphan Ministries.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 32 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit: www.buccaneersports.com.

About Blinn College

Founded in 1883, Blinn is a comprehensive community college committed to educational excellence and to individual and community enhancement. With an enrollment of 19,317 students, Blinn ranks among the nation's leaders in transferring students to leading four-year universities and has received national recognition for its affordable educational excellence.

As part of its commitment to student success, Blinn is implementing a Quality Enhancement Plan titled "Destination Success: First-Year Focus," which utilizes learning communities to support first-year college students.

For enrollment information and to learn about financial aid opportunities, visit: www.blinn.edu.