RANGERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE...
As many know, playing hockey is supposed to be all about "Development". Our Jr. Rangers had a very special night of "Developing" as human beings Thursday evening.
Our team initially participated in collecting food for a community program where many children go without a meal several times throughout the week. To take it a step further than just gathering items, the boys volunteered their time and went to work packaging bags of meals for over 575 school age children in the Waterloo Region. These meals are being distributed for the long weekend so the children will have something to take home, not only for themselves, but their siblings as well.
The evening began with a story of an 11 year old boy, similar to our boys in age, that came to school and participated in their breakfast program. The boys learned that many children rely on these meals since it may be the only healthy meal they receive on any given day. It was shared that this particular 11 year old boy finished his entire breakfast and asked a volunteer if he could have some of the remaining food. The volunteer replied "absolutely" and noticed that the boy seemed fond of the hard boiled eggs as she witnessed him go and eat two and then a third additional egg. When the young boy was done eating, she commented to him, "you must really love hard boiled eggs?"...the young boy replied "no, actually I don't like them at all but I am hungry!"
Telling the story, the volunteer could not contain her emotions as she shed some tears in front of our team as I am certain she has done many times over, as it would be as raw as the day she experienced it. Our boys had a look of dismay on their faces to learn that this happens in our own backyard, to kids they attend school with and had no idea. The boys learned a valuable lesson Thursday evening about just how fortunate they are to not only have food on their tables but to have families that are in a position for them to participate in a sport that they love, such as hockey. It was also a reminder to me, their Coach, that we are not only developing hockey players, but more importantly "good human beings". Don't stop giving back and volunteer your time to make a difference, it truly does matter!
I am so PROUD of this group of players and families for all that they do and have done.
