LANTZ: The East Hants U-15 Bantam White hockey team are making Christmas a bit brighter for one East Hants family, while also giving a hand to a second family.
Team manager Faith Rogers said the team, coached by Keith Stewart, Phil Rushton, and Mel Lemmon, wanted the team to do something to give back to the community this hockey season.
“Many of the parents suggested sponsoring a family through the Caring and Sharing Angel Tree Food Bank so we contacted Allison Gilby and she matched us with a family,” said Rogers.
She explained they had a group of three team Moms who organized the whole thing for them – Lillian Pye, Helen Dixon, and Shelley Dunphy.
“We wanted our players to make the contributions themselves rather than have parents fund the donations,” she said.
“The decision was made to have the players collect bottles from close friends and family (within their bubble – no going door to door).
“The kids really got into it. Lots of collecting and counting and drives to the recycling depot with mountains of refundable.”
Rogers said as word got around, kind people in the players lives dropped off donations of bottles and cash to help support our cause.
“In the end, the team raised over $1,500 and were able to completely sponsor our matched family with gifts and food and also provide a food basket for a second family,” she said.
“We are all so happy we were able to help out local families.
“We are so thankful for the support we received from the community.”
The East Hants U-15 Bantam White are:
Ethan Eastman; Jewel Eastman; Dominic Dixon; Devin Dunphy; Jaiden Fazio; Riley Hart; Finn Jones; Katie Lemmon; Devin MacPhee; Gabrielle Nevin-Toney; Zack Rogers; Caleb Rushton; Jessa Rushton; Jaidon Saunders; Spencer Stewart; and Liam Warwick.
