THUNDER BAY – Together as a team, the KC Peewee Hurricanes have dedicated the winter season to giving back to the community.
The players have traded in their red uniforms for green with the Children’s Centre Foundation Thunder Bay logos in an effort to raise awareness for children’s mental health during this year’s Robin’s Minor Hockey Tournament.
Head coach Dave Meunier said the volunteer work has educated his team in knowing that community caring is important.
“There’s a lot of children that live with mental health issues daily, so when they look at each other on the ice they have no idea that the person sitting next to them is going through a situation,” Meunier said.
“It’s good for them to be aware of the things around them and getting more awareness for themselves.”
This year, the Hurricanes have been busy giving back to the community during the holiday season.
The players have helped raise money for different charities, they sponsored a family for Christmas and put together Christmas hampers for the families in need.
“It’s really important to be giving back to the community and these children need to understand that they are very privilege to be playing hockey,” he said.
“Some kids don’t have that kind of comradery, so to have these kids getting involved in community caring and helping out in different ways they get a better understanding for it.”
Meunier said he is proud of these kids and what they have accomplished so far and as long as he has a hockey team they will be supporting mental health awareness.
“We are trying to teach them as much as we can about life and being better people in the community.”
Eleven-year-old Devin Richards believes volunteering is important for his team and the community.
“It’s important to help out because you want to be known as being a good person,” Richards said.
“We want to help everybody and be respectful.”
The team stopped by Bell Mobility at the Intercity Mall Saturday for Bell’s Let’s Talk Day.
