The Coniston U11 Flames helped make Christmas better in the community by making a $500 donation to the Coniston Food Bank on Dec. 16.**
Head Coach Ryan Shaw said thanks to a “fantastic and dedicated group of volunteers, parents, and players,” the team exceeded its fundraising goal this season, so they decided to donate the extra funds to the food bank.
“The incredible generosity of our community during our fundraising allowed us to give back to our amazing community,” Shaw told Sudbury.com. “We as coaches try not to only teach skills on the ice, but transferable life skills. One of these skills is an appreciation of our community and their generosity that has allowed us to go to tournaments, participate in team-building activities etc.”
He said the parents and coaching staff are very proud of the players for giving back to their community.
“We are so proud of our players for giving back to the less fortunate at Christmas,” Shaw said. “I have never had a team of players, parents and siblings in my 10+ years of coaching minor hockey that has come together and really embraced the ‘hockey family’ mentality like this group.”
The Coniston U11 Flames team includes players Logan Lavoie, Karson Cullen, Chase Clouthier, Jack Zahorouski, Ayva Nave, Jax Ayers, Skyla Teddy, Ryder Laakso, Charlotte Whitman, Noah Recoskie, Paisley Preseau, Amelia Shaw, Ethan Wilson, Matthew Chimchak, and Jackson Blinn. The coaching staff includes manager Kelly Preseau, fundraising co-ordinators Stacy Rimes and Danika Teddy, coaches Ryan Shaw, Jonathon Laakso, Troy Teddy and Joe Shaw, and trainer Adam Zahorouski.
**Correction: An earlier version of this story stated the donation was made to the Sudbury Food Bank. That has been corrected.
