Local minor hockey coach teaches the spirit of giving
Royals players rally to raise funds for Province charity
As in the tale of the Three Kings who came bearing gifts from afar more than two thousand years ago, a team of local Royals is also bringing gifts this Christmas season to those living in poverty.
Albeit, they’re wearing bright red hockey jerseys, but the spirit of Christmas giving lives on in the teenage players of the New Westminster Minor Hockey Association.
Last weekend, about 20 of them donned Santa hats and gathered outside stores to collect spare change for The Province’s Empty Stocking Fund, which last year raised more than $324,000 for families less fortunate over the holidays.
“It was just the essence of what the holiday season’s all about — not only yourself being happy and hopefully being in a good mood, but doing something for other people,” said Brian Tuccori, the coach of the New Westminster Royals who rallied players to donate their time.
“They recognize that they’re really helping out people here who are less fortunate.”
This weekend, they’re teaming up to do it again.
Tuccori said it was a struggle at first to get the teenagers on board, but they were “all smiles” once their collection tins started jingling with coins.
“A feat in itself is just getting them out of bed,” Tuccori said.
“Honestly, it’s not the easiest thing in the world, but we have a really great group of kids.”
Tuccori wasn’t sure how much the players had raised, because the collection tins are kept sealed, but estimated each player raised $100 for the Empty Stocking Fund.
“They turned it into a little bit of a competition to see who could get the most change in the jar,” Tuccori said.
“We saw several people donate $20. Lots of people were coming out with a bunch of fives and sticking a five in everyone’s can. I think we did quite well.”
Cole Van Laare, captain of the Royals, credited Tuccori for inspiring the team to do good work.
“We have a coach who really cares how we turn out, not just about hockey ... that we come out being generous people and that we are good contributors to society,” Van Laare said.
“It just feels good, that because all of us have the money to play hockey, that we can give back to people that can’t afford presents.”
Tuccori hopes even more people will chip in this weekend, when an estimated 50 bantam players will shake tins for a good cause.
Two groups will be posted Saturday at London Drugs (555 Sixth St.) and a B.C. Liquor store (1075 Columbia) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and again outside London Drugs from 9-1 on Sunday.
Tuccori wants the experience of giving to be something the players will remember for more than one season, like a signature spino-rama or blistering slap shot.
“Hopefully, that will carry on with them for the rest of their lives,” he says.
“Hopefully, they’ll turn around and one day when they’re my age ... they’ll be out coaching and teaching the kids about giving back their time.”