Community Corner
Best of 2012: Local Nonprofit Organization Gets Help from Hockey Team
The Jr. Bulls hockey organization gathered donations of basic toiletries, blankets and other items for Operation Unwrap a Smile.
As 2012 comes to a close, Land O' Lakes Patch is taking a look back at the year that was. In December, a Land O' Lakes nonprofit organization got a boost from a group of youth hockey players.
"I was overwhelmed with joy! I really cried when (the organizer) called because it's just the help we needed at this time in this economy," Operation Unwrap a Smile co-founder Stephanie Roshell said.
The hockey player outreach to support Roshell's efforts in the Bay area was organized by Deano Hoffberg, the mother of two Jr. Bull youth hockey players, a travel team based at the Brandon Ice Sports Forum, 10222 Elizabeth Place.
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Hoffberg launched "Youth Hockey Cares" in 2011 to encourage the youth hockey community to support local organizations. Last year she organized a player-led toy drive for All Children's Hospital.
"I always wanted to do this," Hoffberg said. It started with wanting her own two sons to realize how much of an advantage they have, and how important it is to give back.
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"Other people don't have the luxuries we have," she said.
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