Throughout 2023, teams from across the province have committed good deeds in their communities. This Holiday season, Hockey Alberta is featuring some of those teams who have given back this past year.
The Cougars collected donations for the Calgary Food Bank.
The U11 Cougars worked together to sign and decorate nearly 200 Christmas cards for every resident at the AgeCare Midnapore. The team then visited the residents to deliver the cards, help with bingo and run the treat trolly.
The Sabres U15 squad filled a hockey bag with non-perishable food items for the food bank.
The Vikings noticed a need for winter clothing and food at the local Family and Community Support Services in Camrose so the team challenged all the other Camrose Minor Hockey teams to see who could gather the most items for donation. Together they gathered over 600 winter jackets, two large boxes of toques, mitts, scarves and snow pants and over 30 boxes of food.
The U11 Northstars gave back to their community by visiting the residents in long-term care at the hospital and handing out treats and decorating cookies with the residents.
The U15 Royals White adopted a family through the North East Calgary Adopt a Family Society and collected over 100 items of presents for a family to have on Christmas morning.
The U7 Flames and SAHA U18 Prep Team joined forces and held a food drive for the Medicine Hat Root Cellar. The Two teams combined to donate over 300 pounds of food and other goods.
The Ramblers went shopping and purchased items for a large food hamper for their own Christmas hamper program called Heart2U.
The team collected new toys and books to support kids and families staying at the Alberta Children's Hospital.
All U11 Chiefs teams held food drives over the course of November. The teams then spent an evening at the Red Deer Food Bank preparing food hampers, sorting donations and stocking shelves.
The U11 Rangers collected toys and non perishable food items for other kids their age who are need over the Holidays.
The U13 RMAA Renegades held a food drive in the town of Carstairs and delivered it to the local food bank. The team collected nearly 1,000 pounds of food for people in need this Holiday season.
The U7 Leafs donated Christmas gifts to the Made by Momma organization.
Three Central Alberta Selects teams partnered up to start their own ’Cold Stoppers’ campaign in support of the Street Ties Youth Outreach program through Vantage Community Services.
The U15 AA Lethbridge Hurricanes and Taber Golden Suns teamed up to host a food drive during their most recent meeting in order to support the Interfaith Food Bank. The following day Hurricane players and coaches delivered 353 pounds of food and helped make up over 600 care packages for the Holiday season.
The Female U18 Sutter Fund Chiefs took a night and went to visit the residents of Crimson Villas. The team brought Christmas treats and had a draw for one of the team's shirts.
The U15 Okotoks Oilers and Chestermere Lakers came together to raise funds for the food bank.
The U9 Southwest Cougars Blue gave back to their community by bringing donations to the Calgary Children's Cottage Society.
The Cougars collected non-perishable food items for the food bank. They also collected bottles for their bottle drive.
The U9 to U18 Fort Saskatchewan Fury teams collectively came together to collect 470 pounds of food for the Fort Saskatchewan food bank.
The U11 Rangers made Christmas cards for the residents at Turner Lodge in Fort Saskatchewan.
The Chiefs visited the Crimson Villas Seniors Complex to play Bingo with the residents.
The Cougars collaborated with the Senior Secret Service Program to adopt a senior for their team. The goal of the service is to enhance the quality of life for individuals 60 or older who are alone in the community.
The Chiefs and Oilers put their on-ice rivalry aside to come together for a good cause. The two U15 teams partnered up to gather food donations for the Red Deer Food Bank.
The Sting, who are based out of Morinville, made sure to go the extra mile this past month, decorating their cars with Christmas lights and decorations to give the seniors in their community their very own Christmas parade after the seniors were forced to miss the town’s festivities due to sickness.
The Clippers hosted a tournament this year where the teams participating were tasked to fill bins in their dressing rooms for their Santa’s anonymous challenge, collecting toys to donate to children.
The U11 Bruins hosted a Holiday donation drive in support of the Calgary Drop in Centre as well as Inn from the Cold. They collected toiletries, mittens, hats, socks and more, bringing over 1300 items to donate to those charities.
The Canucks will give back by having their players create art pieces as a way to bring positivity and cheer to those in need of a smile.
To share how your team or association is giving back this season, complete the following form:
For any questions or to send pictures, please contact Troy Durrell, Coordinator, Content Generation.