Many local professional athletes do community service work but it will be hard to find a project more touching than the one Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman helped this week. Zimmerman signed autographs and passed out ice cream to patients at the National Children's Medical Center on Tuesday on behalf of a fund-raising drive called Mason's Super Stars. Mason Leach died last October at age 5 from cancer and, to honor his memory, the Leach family, with the help of DC United, is trying to raise $50,000 by December 31. The money will be used to support patients in the hospital's oncology unit. The fund has purchased video game consoles, televisions and other items for the unit as well as provided Target gift cards for patients who reached a milestone or needed a pick-me-up. Details can be found at
http://www.masonleach.blogspot.com.
-- Sports section
