At this time of the year have you spent any time thinking about those that are less fortunate than yourself? It may have started out as a creative marketing gimmick many years ago, but today every hockey team has found ways of bringing charity into the arena. Many teams use the cute and cuddly Teddy Bear Toss to bring smiles to young children that are sick. Other teams have found unique ways of stocking empty cupboards with food drives and keeping those less fortunate warm with clothing drives.
In Prince George it's known as the Drop the Gloves and Sock It To 'Em Night with fans bringing socks, winter gloves, other warm clothing items and cash donations to be distributed through the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Over the past couple of years, Wal-Mart has stepped up to support the cause by making sizeable donations of clothing items to be purchased by donation by those fans that may have forgotten to bring an item or would like to do more.
Whether a Teddy Bear Toss or something different, I'm glad to see that these events are getting bigger every year with more and more items being collected. It shows the compassion of the human spirit and how hockey is more than just a sport played in the community. It is a integral part of our society and in a small way, a chance for players, teams and especially fans to give back to the community that they enjoy the great game of hockey in.
Every hockey team can point to a number of people in their organization, whether it be players, volunteers or paid personnel that have compassion for their fellow man, woman and child. Most of those people don't want the credit for doing what they do; rather they would have you acknowledge their contributions by asking you to make your own.
If there is still an opportunity to participate in your team's charitable event – please do so. If you missed out on that game, you can still help out by taking food items, warm clothing or a cash donation to your hockey team's charity of choice. Call your favourite team's office and get the information you need to provide a little assistance at this time of the year. Your unselfish gift may put a smile on a young child's face or warm an unfortunate soul during the cold winter months.
Ron Gallo, the voice of the Prince George Spruce Kings, will be blogging the Interior Conference during the 2008/09 season. Check back often for Ron's insights into the latest news from the BCHL's Okanagan and Northern-based teams.
