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. Hoffberg launched "Youth Hockey Cares" in 2011 to encourage the youth hockey community to support local organizations. Last …

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'Youth Hockey Cares' Supports Organization for Kids, Seniors

A Land O' Lakes nonprofit organization is getting some help this holiday season from Bay area youth hockey players.

'Youth Hockey Cares' Supports Land O' Lakes Organization for Kids, Seniors

A parent organizes an effort she hopes will spread beyond her children's team to support Operation Unwrap a Smile, which reaches displaced, homeless and at-risk youth.

A local nonprofit organization is getting some help this holiday season from Bay area youth hockey players, and the timing couldn't be better. "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. Roshell and her husband, Herbert, run the nonprofit organization Operation Unwrap a Smile  from their Land O' Lakes home, relying on donations and their own funds to reach displaced, homeless and at-risk youth in Pasco County and beyond.  The organization also provides outreach services to local nursing homes, giving residents basic toiletries and gifts, and taking kids along to sing and share their …

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