With stay-at-home orders still in effect, New York Red Bulls players are finding new ways to cheer up and visit kids who are in the hospital.

Through an iPad on a rolling stand, 19-year-old Paterson resident Anderson Ventura is able to meet Red Bulls midfielder Alex Muyl.

“It’s a nice way to remind you that we’re in our apartments alone, but you’re just a phone call away from being in the same room as someone else, so it’s pretty cool,” says Muyl.

The players usually make visits to Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital in Hackensack in person. But the team is doing the visits virtually now.

“I think as we’re sitting idle and not playing yet, our role in the community is to really get involved in these communities and help where we can. Not only with these kids, but with the front lines and support these true heroes who are out there every day putting their life on the line,” says Red Bulls general manager Marc de Grandpre.

The players say that the virtual visits are just as meaningful as the in-person ones.

“You meet these people going through really tough times in their life and in scary, new situations. And they are just happy to see you and talk to you and it restores your faith in the human spirit,” says Muyl.

Muyl says that the team plans to continue to do as many virtual visits as it can.

“I think every time you do it you realize that you’re the one who is benefiting the most from this and you’re learning the most from these people and they are actually brightening your day,” he says.

Major League Soccer is suspended until at least June 8.