Crowther Memorial hosts annual Hockey for Hunger

By John Watson Local Journalism initiative Reporter

Crowther Memorial Junior High School (CMJHS) has once again hosted its Hockey for Hunger food drive on March 31, following a two-year hiatus from the event.

Linda Tucker, CMJHS principal, said staff and students were thrilled to once again be participating in the annual event.

“It celebrates and recognizes our hockey athletes in our school and our hockey program. Our hockey players have a game with each other and the entire school is here cheering them on and being excited about what’s going on for those kids,” said Tucker. “In addition, we are asking all of our students to bring an item for donation to the food bank here in Strathmore.”

According to Tucker, the annual event is a regular occurrence within the school, though was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to ongoing public health concerns regarding COVID-19.

The idea, she added, is the brainchild of CMHJS hockey program coach Brad Huntley, who came up with the event as a way for students to both enjoy and cheer on their peers, as well as to support the community.

Donations to the food bank were not expected of students and their families, though were encouraged in the spirit of the occasion.

“We are just grateful that students and families can donate whatever they can … we don’t expect a certain amount, just whatever folks can give we are happy to take,” said Tucker. “We know that access for the food bank this year has been higher than ever before. At Christmas time, we were able to make a small donation to the food bank … (it’s exciting) that we’re able to make another donation that’s maybe even a little bit more substantial.”

Tucker added the Hockey for Hunger event was planned roughly a month ago and was given the go-ahead to proceed so long as public health restrictions remained in their ongoing state of decline towards pre-pandemic normalcy. 

Regarding the school’s hockey program, Tucker said it’s a source of pride for both the male and female participating students from all grades.

“We really pride ourselves at our school as having something for everyone … and so the hockey program is just one of those things that we offer,” said Tucker. “I just can’t express how happy we are to be here as a whole school to celebrate and enjoy together, because that’s what it’s all about.”

Tucker did not provide an exact count of what was donated to the food bank at the conclusion of the event.