Hockey team lends a helping hand
Group collects winter goods for Our Father’s House
This is part of an occasional series from Leominster High School, highlighting the stories of Blue Devil athletes on and off the ice.
Recently, the Leominster boys’ ice hockey team took part in a community service project with Our Father’s House in Fitchburg.
The “Warm Bag” drive was an effort by the team to collect hats, mittens, gloves, socks, blankets and scarves for the purpose of donating those items to Our Father’s House.
The team was made aware of a great need in the homeless population in the Twin City area for such items thanks to Booster Club Member Christina Moyen, who introduced the Blue Devils to this special opportunity and helped the team make the connections to coordinate the effort.
“We are proud and grateful to have such an incredible group of players, coaches and families who embraced our recent community service project with Our Father’s House in Fitchburg as part of our commitment to community service every season,” Booster Club member Patti D’Amicis said.
Shortly before the holidays, each player was asked to collect donations and put together “Warm Bags” that would include a hat, mittens, gloves, a blanket, a scarf, and socks. These items were then given to and distributed by OFH Outreach Director Kevin MacLean directly to those in need.
“The Leominster hockey donation for the homeless and less fortunate will change lives,” MacLean said. “A warm hat, gloves and maybe an extra blanket offer security hard to come by when you don’t
have a home. It’s donations like this and the young people behind it, that make the world a better place.”
“I believe it is important to be involved in the community whenever we can as a program,” Leominster hockey coach Frank Mooney said. “We are very fortunate to be able to play hockey in times like this, so it is nice to give back to people who are not as fortunate as we are. I hope that by doing service projects like this one, our players can realize how important it is to serve our community.”
When the players met MacLeanin the parking lot of the Wallace Civic Center prior to a practice where he collected the donations, MacLean took the time to have a meaningful and relatable conversation with the boys about homelessness in our community and the value of their donations.
“Not only did we exceed expectations in participation and donations; more importantly (our team) opened their minds and hearts to giving to our community and raising awareness,” DeAmicis said.
“I have always felt strongly about the value of service and giving back to your community through involvement as well as donations,” she continued. “Last year we were fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Kylee’s Kare Kits packing food bags for over 500 children both in and beyond our community. To participate in service and volunteering time as a team, or rather together as a hockey family, provides experiences I am hopeful these young men will carry with them well beyond their high school hockey years.”