The holiday season is a time to spend with loved ones and be thankful for what you have. It’s been a long year for everyone however this has given us time to reflect on how fortunate we are. As part of their off-ice activities, teams often use these weeks to give their time to help out their neighborhoods and communities. Even if we may not be on the ice as often, teams can still show their teamwork off the ice for a good cause. Doing a positive act for others can boost your own spirits.

The first step is to decide on what cause to put the time towards. This is a great brainstorm session for teams to list all of the causes in their area and why they are important. Like minor hockey, the backbone of charity work is done by volunteers and they are likely in need of an extra helping hand, especially this year. Once the cause has been decided, reach out to local organizations to see how the team can help and the best ways to go about it.

Of course, giving back to the community doesn’t have a timeline! It’s great to focus on the holidays but these organizations can use your help throughout the rest of the season. For teams who need some inspiration, there are still the traditional options (with a twist) to give a go. Remember to still follow all public measures to keep everyone safe.

The traditional clothing, food and bottle drives still apply for this season. Instead of setting up before your practice at the rink, let your friends and family know to leave a bag of donations outside their door that you can come by and collect. This is also a great time to clean out your own closet and see what clothing and items can find a better home. As a fun bonus, players can compete with each other to see who can gather the most donations.

Being outside helps to keep social distance and clean up the areas around us. Identify some public spaces like nature trails or parks that could use a helping hand and see how many garbage bags you can fill. Teams can also volunteer to help shovel snow for those who may not be able to do it on their own.

We’ve been online now more than ever. It’s been an incredibly valuable tool to helps us connect and stay in touch. Some people have been forced into isolation and it can be rare that they are able to talk with others. Reach out to your local seniors centres and see what kind of programs they can offer to make sure nobody is alone during the holidays.