The Selkirk Steelers spent their Thanksgiving weekend giving back.
On Thanksgiving, a few Selkirk Steelers hockey team players got together to donate turkeys to local families in need. Riesha Pattyn from the board took to social media that weekend to spread the word about their endeavour. There, they got suggestions on which families could use a turkey, and taking that information, they went to No Frills and bought six turkeys for six families.
Steph Pattyn, a Steelers board executive, said it’s important for families to get together and spend time with one another no matter their circumstances. That’s why the team donated turkeys: to give everyone in town a chance to be thankful.
Steph said they didn’t incur any costs from the donations either as team sponsors paid for the turkeys.
“It was a really good experience for the players,” he said. “It was fun to see them excited about it and not feel like it’s a drag.”
The Steelers posted a video to their social media of the players’ journey from grocery store to home. In it, you can see the players walking into No Frills, filling their carts with turkeys (with smiles), shaking hands with the store manager, and handing the turkeys to each of the families. People graciously accepted the frozen birds with smiles from ear to ear, grateful for their thoughtfulness.
Two families who received turkeys weren’t home, so the players left the package between their doors for when they returned. Steph said seeing the faces of the other four when they received their turkey was heartwarming.
Steph himself used to play in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) and said they were always involved in the community. He’s hoping the current team can be as involved, or more so, in the community.
“It requires time and extra effort, but the players are young men who potentially just need to see and learn these types of things,” he said. “Community contribution is overlooked a lot. The feeling of giving can really fulfill you.”
The Selkirk Steelers have already completed a few other community initiatives, including repurchasing hockey equipment for a local teen who had his stolen.
“We want to show the team can do good in the community,” said Steph.
On Oct. 28, the Steelers are having a Halloween night with a costume contest and candy. They’re focused on making game days more family-oriented so the entire town can enjoy the team and what they offer.
