The 91原创 Lightning are used to challenging teams on the ice, but this holiday season they are issuing a different sort of challenge.
In lieu of exchanging gifts at their annual Christmas party, the team of 15 to 17-year-olds has decided to adopt two families this holiday season.
鈥淐hristmas is the season for giving, and we realized how blessed and how privileged we are to have what we do have so we wanted to help those in need,鈥� said Keara Graham, one of the players on the 91原创 Girls Female Hockey Association midget rep A team.
鈥淲e realize there is so much joy that comes from giving instead of receiving, which is so important to realize how truly blessed we are,鈥� she said.
鈥淲e are coming closer together as a team and we feel it is a great challenge for other teams to take on as well.鈥�
Team manager Trish Brown said the parents are thrilled by the excitement of the players.
鈥淥ur players are so excited to do this,鈥� she said.
鈥淭hey have been talking about this non-stop.
鈥淪ome have never done this before and I must say, I am overwhelmed at the positive response.鈥�
When Brown spoke to people at the Christmas Bureau, she was told there were still more help needed.
She decided to issue the challenge to other sports teams.
鈥� A lot of teams do Christmas parties and gifts and stuff,鈥� Brown said.
鈥淭his is a challenge: other teams can be doing the same.鈥�
鈥淲e are coming closer as a team and we feel it is a great challenge for other teams to take on as well,鈥� Graham said.
