The Delta Wild Varsity Green hockey team experienced what it means to give to someone in need by helping to fundraise and then purchase items for Christmas food hampers.
Hockey mom Laura Marriott, whose son Jackson is on the team, sparked the idea of generosity and goodwill.
The Tsawwassen mom has been helping provide Christmas hampers to those in need through the Lower Mainland Purpose Society for the past 11 years. In 2008, she brought the initiative to Sacred Heart School, where her two younger children attend, with the Giving Tree.
Through the years the generosity of friends, family and the community at large has seen the campaign grow bigger and bigger.
Getting the hockey team involved this year was through head coach Tim Preston.
"As a team, I thought it would be great to work together to help families in need over the holiday season," said Preston. "At the Delta Hockey Academy, the players are all fortunate that they have the support and resources from their families. Some kids are not as fortunate as these players and giving back and helping a family in need is a great way to help out in the community."
Preston thought the team could learn about hard work and the daily challenges facing many families through the initiative.
The first step was finding families that were the best fit for the team. They were able to connect with two families who both have boys the same age as the players on the team.
"This was important, because it creates a connection with each player on the team," added Preston.
The second step was to raise the money for the hampers. On Sunday, Dec. 11, the team headed to Wagner Hills farm in Langley and spent four hours painting, cleaning, bailing hay and shoveling snow to raise the $600. Wagner Hills is a rehabilitation centre for women where guests work daily in return for their stay at the centre.
The final step came four days later when the players went to Save-On-Foods in Tsawwassen to shop for the families they adopted and to help Marriott fill other food hampers.
"The goal of this experience is to humble the players and put life's challenges into perspective," said Preston.
Marriott wanted to thank Wayne Kupillas, owner of Tsawwassen's Your Dollar Store With More, as he donated numerous boxes of necessities and gifts. She also wanted to thank Save-On-Foods, Knights of Columbus and Alan Cameron of Sun Gallery Patio Furniture Sales in Tsawwassen Mills.
"We have been helping lots of families through lots of other people," said Marriott. "There are so many other amazing friends who support our initiative each Christmas with generous donations.
I could not do it without them. I am so grateful to everyone for their support."
The Wild Hockey team includes: coaches Tim Preston and Brent Thurston and players Mark Thurston, Landon Walter, Braden Blace, Jacob Sherwood, Alex Serraglio, Carson Hemenway, Russell Howlett, Austin Ungurean, Zachary Sherwin, Jackson Marriott, Nathan Kirkpatrick, Holden Cardinal, Tanner Attew, Alec Scouras, Sammy May, Lukas Olson, Ty Gagno, Braedy Euerby and Carson Latimer.
