It was decided this year that the youngest money suckers hockey team would help out in the community during the holiday season. Well, to be honest, the parents of all the money suckers thought that it would be a really great idea for the players to do something for others. After a call to a small, local Christmas hamper program, it was all set up. The man in charge was, of course, a little reluctant to have seventeen young people running around the warehouse needing constant supervision. I did reassure him that each player would have a corresponding parent there to help as well. Insert sigh of relief here!
The big volunteer day arrives. Two shifts of player/parents are arranged. First shift shows up and promptly unloads a truck by hand, assembly line fashion. I have to tell you I have never seen a group of anyone so enthused about unloading a truck! They were like little elves who got into their older brothers Red Bull! Amazing! What seemed like 15 minutes later, said truck empty and elves are looking for other jobs to attack. Tasks were given and for two solid hours the kids worked like I have never seen. Filling hampers, loading shelves, organizing food and any task you can imagine, the Hockey Elves went nuts! Next shift comes and the same situation ensues. To be quite honest I was pleasantly shocked with how hard the kids worked. They all seemed like they genuinely enjoyed themselves and a ton of work got done (a lot more work than the organizer anticipated!)
Hopefully, as the kids get older, they come to realize that helping others is much more rewarding than any gift they could ever receive. I am pretty sure there was a large group of parents whom not only left with the feeling of gratitude for all that they have but the amazing feeling of being proud of their son/daughter and the entire hockey team.
Now that's what I'm talking about!
Happy, Merry Holidays, Christmas and Hanukkah to all my crazy, sarcastic loving people!
(If a little more "humble pie" is needed see post dated Dec 15, 2011)
