Throughout 2022, the hockey community has rallied together. This holiday season, teams from across the province have committed good deeds in their communities. Hockey Alberta is featuring some of those teams who have given back this season.
Red Deer U15 AAA Rebels
Red Deer U15 AAA Rebels held a food drive at their game on November 26 against the Calgary Northstars, generating an impressive food donation to the Red Deer Food Bank and a $265 cash donation.
Red Deer U13 A APLS Chiefs
The Red Deer Minor Hockey U13 A APLS Chiefs collected and assembled over 50 hygiene kits for at-risk youth. Items were donated by organizations in the Red Deer area and are being donated to the Red Deer High Risk Youth Coalition. Kits include soap, towels, dental health, deodorant and a card filled out by each player with a message of kindness, hope and inspiration.
Lacombe Minor Hockey Association
Lacombe MInor Hockey Association has launched the "Rockets Give Back" program, in partnership with the Broom Tree, an organization that focuses on serving women in Central Alberta facing a variety of challenges. U5 - U18 teams can choose a way to give back to the Broom Tree through donating for their Blessing Bags, the Noel Family Project, purchases in their cafe, volunteering, donating money or goods. Launching on November 15, the Rockets Give Back has raised the equivalent to $1,200 so far.
NE401 Crush
Hockey Edmonton’s NE401 Crush has dedicated their time to giving back this season. The U11 HADP team has collected food to donate to the Veterans Food Bank in Edmonton, where they met veterans and heard their stories. They stocked shelves and created family hampers for families in need. On December 28, the team will be volunteering at the Junior C Tyler Palmowski Memorial Game to help raise money for DIPG research.
St. Albert Sting
The St. Albert U15 A Sting have filled six boxes for children in need for Operation Christmas Child. Each box is filled with love in hopes to make a child smile this holiday season.
Junior Oilers U18 AAA
The Junior Oilers are supported the fourth annual Ty’s Toy Drive. When the Junior Oilers Orange faced off against the Junior Oilers Blue on November 30, the AEHL U18 AAA teams collected two overflowing boxes of toys and a $280 cash donation for the drive.
Calgary Buffaloes U17 AAA Bulls
On December 11, the Calgary Buffaloes U17 AAA Bulls will be hosting the Veterans Food Bank Drive and Teddy Bear Toss in support of the Women’s Centre at the Cardel Rec Centre.
Calgary Buffaloes U15 AA Hawks
The Calgary Buffaloes U15 AA Hawks volunteered with the Magic of Christmas on December 8. The Magic of Christmas collects donations to gift presents to families in need throughout Calgary. A list of families was given to the Hawks and they selected gifts for each member of the family to open on Christmas.
Knights of Columbus U16 AA Spurs
Together with the Canadian Athletics Club, the Knights of Columbus U16 AA Spurs collected food and monetary donations for the Edmonton Food Bank. In total they filled five large boxes to drop off at the local fire hall.
U17 AAA AEHL Showcase
The U17 AAA Alberta Elite Hockey League Showcase collected food to donate to the local food bank.
Red Deer Cambridge Hotel U11 A Chiefs
The Red Deer Cambridge Hotel Chiefs volunteered at the Red Deer and District Food Bank to build food boxes for families, loaded pallets and sorted inventory. Combined, thee team donated 270 lbs of food as well.
Simons Valley Hockey Association U7 Junior Team 2 White
Simons Valley Hockey Association U7 Junior Team 2 White spread cheer to their local senior community centre by creating 95 cards for each senior!
U11 SU403 Sturgeon Mustangs
The U11 SU403 Sturgeon Mustangs conducted a "friends and family" equipment drive as part of their community initiative. Players worked for almost a month collecting and donating as much equipment as they could find in the Morinville, Legal and surrounding areas. The equipment they collected was donated to Sport Central to help kids less fortunate get into sport!
Calgary U13 AA Northstars Green
In support of the Calgary Drop-in Centre’s Fill a Sock program, the Calgary U13 AA Northstars Green collected donations of various basic needs items. In total, the team stuffed 20 socks filled with soap, razors, shampoo, gloves and toques to donate to those in need in Calgary.
Red Deer Motors U13 A+ & U18 AA Elks
The Red Deer Motors U13 A+ and U18 AA Elks have teamed up to spread Christmas cheer around Red Deer by visiting over 200 homes to deliver Christmas cards and collect donations for the Red Deer Food Bank. The players were able to fill an entire truck box with donated food items.
NWCAA U18 AA Bruins
The NWCAA U18 AA Bruins have dedicated their time to giving back off the ice this season. In October, they partnered with Street Sisters Society, an organization that helps vulnerable women and girls in need, to make lunches. In early December, the team supported the Airdrie Lightning U18 AA team in their food drive and provided a donation to support Ryan Couling’s family, a Lightning alumni who lost his battle with cancer. Most recently, the team joined forces with the Calgary Firefighters Toy Association to stuff goodie bags and wrap presents for kids in need. The Bruins are busy delivering a little holiday magic this year!
Elk Island U15 Wild
At their last game, Elk Island’s U15 Wild held a "Fill the Net" campaign. They invited all those attending to donate toys for children and toiletries for seniors for Christmas. They collected over 150 items and $150 in cash donations. All donations are going to be distributed throughout Lamont County.
Knights of Columbus U17 AAA Centennials
The U17 AAA Centennials are giving back this season by participating in community events. As a team, the Centennials volunteered at the St. Jerome Family Christmas Evening where they helped with Christmas crafts, serving snacks, snapping photos and selling raffle tickets. The following week, the spent the evening helping out at the Edmonton Food Bank.
Hockey Alberta Staff
Members of the Hockey Alberta staff spread some holiday cheer at the Ronald McDonald House in Red Deer by volunteering to cook dinner for the families staying there.
Barrhead U15-2 Bruins
The Barrhead U15-2 Bruins hosted a donation drive for the seniors at the Hillcrest Lodge. When they dropped off the donations, the team sang Christmas carols while the seniors ate supper.
Coaldale Cobras U13
The U13 Coaldale Cobras sponsored a family via the Coaldale Food Bank this holiday season. The players, coaches and families donated time and money and went on a shopping spree. Their good deed lead to a challenge, where they challenged the rest of Coaldale Minor Hockey to do the same.
U7/U9/U11 Coaldale Cobras
Accepting the challenge from the U13 Coaldale Cobras, the U7, U9 and U11 Coaldale Cobras each sponsored a family to ensure they had food and presents under the tree this year.
Coaldale U11 Cobras
In addition to sponsoring a family, the Coaldale U11 Cobras ran a food drive at their tournament in support of the local food bank!
U13 Knights 2 White
The U13 Knights 2 White organized a Skate-a-Thon and hot chocolate for their community. The players and their families raised over $1,800 towards Hockey Fights Cancer!
Warburg Sharks U9-1
With the frightful weather outside, the Warburg Sharks decided to give back to their small town by shovelling snow off sidewalks throughout the community and at the local seniors lodge.
To share how your team or association is giving back this season, complete the following form:
SUBMIT HOCKEY GIVES BACK >
For any questions or to send pictures, please contact Kara Spady, Marketing and Communications Coordinator.
