Bantam girls’ hockey team scores big for Heavy Users’ clients

A Sherwood Park girls’ hockey team may be filling the net on the ice, but it’s what their fulfilling off the ice that’s captured the attention of the Edmonton Police Service.

Each year, the Sherwood Park “Squad” Bantam A Female hockey team spends some off-ice time fulfilling a team objective of giving back to their community in some meaningful way.

This year, the teenage hockey players elected to assemble care packages for clients currently registered with the Heavy Users of Services project. The HUoS project was spearheaded by the EPS in 2012 to help precipitate the healing and recovery of some of Edmonton’s most vulnerable citizens.

“Every year these girls find ways to contribute to their community in some way outside of hockey,” said EPS Sgt. Tracy Ward. “It’s important for them to work together as a team to improve their skills, but also to improve their community in some small way.

“Delivering personalized care packages from the hockey team to the HUoS clients was absolutely heart-warming for all involved. The girls were truly excited about the idea from start to finish, and wanted to do what they could to help out these vulnerable citizens.”

The girls paired up to gather new and gently used items and placed them in backpacks for the HUoS clients. The HUoS team, led by Sgt. Ward, helped the girls to personalize the packages.

The social consciousness exhibited by the girls, explained EPS Supt. David Veitch, speaks volumes about the impact the broader community can have on vulnerable members of our city, some of whom are taking steps to embrace positive lifestyle changes.

“What is important about this initiative is that our clients are made to feel important, that they do matter in the hearts and minds of others in the community,” said EPS Supt. Veitch, who also co-chairs the Heavy Users of Services project. “They know despite their challenges people do care for them.  This group of youth did something very special and demonstrated to the broader community that sharing is truly caring. Our clients’ lives have undergone some significant changes over a short period of time and this action further encourages them to succeed.”

 

Sherwood Park Female Bantam A "Squad":
Champions on the ice and in their community!