Midget Varsity serves the community

Former professional basketball player, philanthropist and Order of Canada recipient Steve Nash has been quoted as saying: “I'm a huge believer in giving back and helping out in the community and the world. Think globally and act locally, I suppose. I believe the measure of a person’s life is the affect they have on others.” Putting these words into practice, the boys on Shawnigan’s Midget Varsity hockey team spent Sunday in Victoria, where they lent a helping hand at Rock Bay Landing and at the annual Mustard Seed Street Church Christmas dinner.

After playing a morning game at home, the team hopped on a school bus and made the drive to downtown Victoria. Arriving first at Rock Bay Landing, a shelter and resource centre for homeless people in the area, the boys spent time chatting with the people they met there and learning about some of their experiences and thoughts. This was certainly an eye-opening, significant, and positive experience for the boys, as it was made clear to them that every person has a story and that we need to look out and care for each other. The boys individually handed out care packages and items they had thoughtfully collected prior to the trip, such as gloves, hats, warm socks, and sweaters, for the quickly approaching cold and wet winter season. This was a very valuable learning experience for these student-athletes, and several new and positive perspectives and relationships were formed during this visit.

Afterwards, the team made the short trip to the Mustard Seed Street Church Christmas dinner at the Bay Street Armoury, an annual event for local people who are homeless or in need that has been run by the church and the food bank for the past 40 years. Contributing as set-up crew and servers, the boys played their part in helping to make the evening a great success. Hundreds of people were served a full Christmas dinner with drinks and pie and even live music. Everyone, both those eating and those serving, left the event feeling uplifted and strengthened.

Grade 10 player and student Marshall M. had this to say about the day: "Serving food at this event was a one-of-a-kind experience for me. Giving back to the community really gave me a sense of completeness. I felt fulfilled, like I was doing something good for the community and giving people in need a sense of hope."

James Pollock, the team's head coach, added this: "Serving at this event since I was a young boy, I am thrilled to now be able to share the experience with the student-athletes of Shawnigan Lake School that I have the privilege of coaching. To see the compassion and genuine conversations they shared with the attendees made us very proud. Each student was excited for the day and immersed themselves in the evening, making the most of their time there and undoubtedly putting smiles on many faces."