Bison players brighten holiday season

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The UFA Bison players took time out of their busy schedules to go shopping with young kids and help them wrap the items at Strathmore’s Calgary Co-op on Dec. 14.
The team helped children of single-parent homes select gifts for their loved ones and assisted in wrapping the presents during the annual Christmas Shopping with the Bisons event.
“The history behind this is that it came 12 years ago, where one of the managers decided that wouldn’t it be nice to do some shopping in the community and take some kids out from less fortunate homes. They went out and solicited 20 businesses that at $50 a piece to come up with a $1,000 budget and the Co-op said we want it all,” said Bisons General Manager Wayne Hansen. “They continue to be a fantastic partner and we couldn’t be happier.”
Hansen added that it is a good step for a lot of the players to develop their community skills as they move up in their hockey careers.
“One of the reason that we do it is we’re preparing the players to go on and play junior hockey, so when they leave here one of the biggest things they do is their involvement in the community. We’re developing not only hockey players but we’re developing young men,” said Hansen.
He added that an early morning event such as this is very uncommon for the team after a game, but it’s a way of giving back and putting a smile on the kids’ faces.
“You know they got here and they were kind of sleepy and all of a sudden the little kids get here and it brings smiles to their faces and it’s a fantastic day,” said Hansen.
Bisons forward Sebastien Kilcommons thought it was a great way to brighten the spirits during the holidays.
“It was really fun because we haven’t had much of a chance so far this year to really give back, besides minor hockey, especially around Christmas when some of the less fortunate families are having a harder time,” said Kilcommons. “It’s nice to be able to brighten their day and make sure they have nice Christmas.”
Once the shopping was done, he enjoyed the wrapping part, even though he could learn a thing or two on how to gift wrap.
“I’m pretty terrible at wrapping, so it was all Jasmine (his shopping partner) that had to do everything. So I was just handing her the tape the whole time,” said Kilcommons. “Even though it’s so early, I like being able to give back and help out these kids.”