Bisons host 13th Christmas Shopping event

Times Reporter  

 

Even with an afternoon game later in the day, all 20 UFA Bisons players each had an assist off of the ice as well.

The organization hosted the annual Christmas Shopping with the Bisons on Dec. 8 at Strathmore’s Calgary Co-op.

The local triple-A midget team helped children of single-parent homes select gifts for their loved ones and offered a helping-hand in the wrapping process.

This is the 13th year of the Bisons annual Christmas shopping event, bringing humility and perspective to the players.

“The cost of a hockey stick is $300,” said Bisons general manager Wayne Hansen. “Let’s face it, to play hockey at this level is not cheap. Sometimes, I think our boys can maybe lose a little bit of touch with, you know, that there’s others out there that are less fortunate. This brings that into them. It drives it home.”

Hansen said that his veteran players point out the event to the rookies each season as a day to remember.

“It’s one of the events when they come back, they talk about it,” Hansen said. “This is something that we do. We’re the only team in our league that does it. It’s pretty special.”

The Bisons ask the elementary schools in town to see who could benefit from the Christmas shopping.

“They’re the most in contact with the families and they know that are most deserving of something like this,” Hansen said.

The kids, ages 6-12, were led around the store for a couple hours, and then invited to join the Bisons to complete the Christmas mission.

“Once they’re done shopping, they’re going to go in the (wrapping) room, and we’re going to test the boys’ skills,” Hansen laughed.

Connor Boyd, assistant captain on the Bisons, was involved with last year’s Christmas shopping too.

“It’s one of the bigger things we do in the community – it’s always one that you look forward to,” he said. “I think it’s really good to get involved with the community and do what we can to help out others. It’s always fun to help out the kids and put a smile on their face.”

Every year, Co-op pays to a certain amount for all the children’s gifts. After that, alumni donors support the rest of the event.

“It’s funny – it’s before my time, about 13 years ago, when Co-op was approached, it was just an idea,” Hansen said. “(The Bisons) started going around to businesses, looking to get 10 or 12 involved, that would contribute $100 a piece or whatever that they could do. Co-op said, ‘you know what? We’ll just do the whole thing.’ ”

Though the children receive gifts for their families out of the Christmas shopping, Bisons’ Coach Dan MacDonald thinks his squad receives a gift from participating in something like this as well.

“They come from good families where money is pretty much there. This is good for them to see that there’s other sides of the world,” he said. “Anytime you do something for others, you’re better for it.”