It is clear that the Johns Hopkins University men's lacrosse squad has serious game. The Blue Jays have followed up an appearance in last year's Division I semifinals by earning the top spot in a preseason coaches poll heading into the upcoming season.

But after completing Holiday Magic, an outreach project that affected about 400 children and adults, it is possible that the team actually has done its best work off the field.

In a departure from the program's normal outreach activities that included regular visits to a children's hospital, the team this past Christmas season launched Holiday Magic, an outreach effort in which team members and coaches collect toys, clothes and donations to deliver in person to select charitable organizations.

"When (assistant coach Seth) Tierney came up with this idea, we just thought it was something neat to do around the holidays," said head coach Dave Pietramala. "This was the first time we had done anything like this. Our expectations were that maybe we could reach 100 kids -- do something nice for 100 kids, whether it was a board game or a gift bag."

Senior midfielder Kyle Harrison said the team wasn't exactly sure what to expect.

"When the coach approached us about it, he just told us to try to get donations from alumni and our families, if possible," he said. "We were just thinking we'd take a couple presents to a couple shelters and that was going to be the end of it."

As it turned out, it was the beginning of something big. Within a couple weeks of initiating the effort that included sending letters to lacrosse alumni, contributions began pouring in. The Blue Jays took in $5,330 and collected hundreds of toys and donations from individuals and companies. One generous soul contributed 200 pounds of toys to the effort.

"We thought we were getting a late start on this and that it was going to take a year or two to get it off the ground," said Pietramala. "The next thing you know, there were dolls and bicycles, and we had enough money to buy a television and a DVD player."

Sandwiched between final exams and research papers and other Christmas holiday obligations, the team wrapped presents and stuffed gift bags. Members also researched, selected and worked out a schedule to deliver the presents.

"We wanted to make sure the gifts actually got to the kids, so we wanted to be with groups that would allow us to be present to give them out," said Pietramala.

Over the course of two afternoons, the lacrosse student-athletes and coaches delivered gift bags to the 120 children participating in the Johns Hopkins tutorial program. Team members also spent time playing board games, drawing and reading with the children.

Next, the squad delivered toys to 85 kids affiliated with a Johns Hopkins Hospital Children's Center outreach program for mothers with HIV. The team also visited Marian House, a transitional facility for women who have been incarcerated or have drug or alcohol problems, where children were the recipients of 84 gift bags filled with school supplies and at least one toy.

The final stop was the Meeting Ground, a homeless and transitional house located on a farm more than an hour away from campus. There, each of the two fathers, five mothers and 16 children in residence received a new pair of footwear, socks, a hat, gloves and a sweatshirt. Each child also got a new outfit and a new set of pajamas, school supplies and toys. Each mother received a special care package, and the Blue Jays also donated a 32-inch television, a DVD/VCR, two bikes and numerous board games to the house.

When the effort was completed, more than 320 children had received a gift, and more than 225 of them got more than one. In addition, more than 200 children got a bag of school supplies.

"We were just humbled and amazed when we thought we could reach about 100 people and we end up reaching almost 400," said Pietramala.

Chris Watson, a senior captain, said Holiday Magic certainly exceeded his expectations.

"We constantly talk about how our coaches have instilled a family atmosphere and a sense of pride and responsibility that comes with playing Hopkins lacrosse," Watson said. "It's not just about winning on the field. It's about doing things off the field. This was a chance for us to take that to a whole new level. It made us prouder than ever to be a part of Hopkins lacrosse."

Pietramala believes that as much as the team's efforts affected others, it affected the squad to an even greater degree.

"One thing about the experience is that I don't think we all do enough to help those around us. Doing this, you're quickly made aware that there are others who are having difficulties, and it's really not that hard and doesn't take that much effort to reach out and help," he said.

Plans are already in the works to make Holiday Magic a fixture with the lacrosse program.

"We'd like to grow it. It sounds crazy that we'd undertake even more, but it was worth it," said Pietramala. "This is something we're going to continue as long as we are here. We hope when we aren't here, Hopkins will continue it."