Thunder Days of Giving Gets Athletes in the Community

Edmonton, AB – After a successful holiday campaign last year, and with the ongoing struggles of the world in 2021, the Thunder Department of Athletics & Recreation student-athletes, coaches, alumni and staff wanted to get involved in the local community again, and make it better for the holidays. Over the winter break, each team accepted the challenge of finding a different way to give back to their community and to find a way to help those who need it most around us.

“I am glad to be part of a team that supports our local community. We can achieve much more as a group than as individuals, and it inspires others to help too. It’s important for us to look out for each other in these trying time. It feels good knowing I can make a strong difference thanks to being part of a team” commented first year Thunder runner Darian McNeil from the cross-country and indoor track teams.

Each team was given the opportunity to support the community through an organization that was important to them -

Men’s Basketball: Santa’s Anonymous
Women’s Basketball: Bissell Centre
Men’s Volleyball: Hope Mission
Women’s Volleyball: Meals on Wheels
Women’s Soccer: Santa’s Anonymous
Hockey: Bissell Centre
Golf: The Leftovers Foundation
Cross-Country/Indoor Track: Edmonton Food Bank
Badminton: Canadian Blood Services

Thunder athletes, coaches, and alumni enjoyed giving back to their community and helping individuals in need:

Cross-Country/Indoor Track – Edmonton Food Bank

Working with Edmonton’s Food Bank, third year Thunder athlete Anna Peacocke from the Cross-Country and Indoor Track team commented on the impact to the community: “Edmonton’s food bank is a critical resource for many people in our community. The Food Bank always needs donations, and I think our contribution will make a positive impact to help support those in need. As we dropped off our donation, we saw a family loading food into their van and then they gave the volunteers big hugs. It feels great to know our contribution is helping others in a big way.”

“Our cross-country and indoor track team decided to help the Edmonton Food Bank again this year. COVID has been hurting our community and economy for the past two years and now more than ever, vulnerable Edmontonians need our help” commented cross-country and indoor track Head Coach Matt Norminton. “Food is a basic necessity for life and no one should ever go hungry, let alone in our own city. I hope our small contribution helps The Food Bank continue to do the amazing work that they have been doing in our community for the past 40 years.”

Golf – The Leftovers Foundation

Doing a longest drive competition for The Leftovers Foundation, Thunder golf team alumni Riley Gaudet commented: “Giving to charity is so important and having the opportunity to contribute is something I am very happy to help out with.” Fellow golf team alumnus Paul Kuperus added: “I was so happy to help with charity this year through the Concordia golf team fundraiser. The Leftovers Foundation is such an integral part of our community, helping so many people that are experiencing hardship. Edmonton is a more caring and welcoming place because of  organizations like the Leftovers Foundation and it is so important that we give back when it is in our means to do so!”

“After living overseas and working with organizations that help out people living in poverty it’s great to see we have organizations like the Leftovers Foundation that reduce food waste by delivering it to people in need” Thunder golf team Head Coach Larry Petryk commented “I’d like to thank the CUE golf team not only for the great times but the opportunity to further my skills as a coach. This fundraiser was another chance for us to get together safely, have a blast and donate to a great cause. Thank you!” 

Badminton – Canadian Blood Services 

Donating blood to Canadian Blood Services, second year badminton athlete Johnna Rhymes was grateful for a chance to give back: “The Thunder athletics family provides tremendous support for their athletes throughout the year. I am grateful that the Thunder Days of Giving provides athletes like myself the chance to offer some of this support back to the Edmonton community during the holidays.”

“As a part of the Thunder Days of Giving campaign, the badminton team chose to donate blood as part of the initiative” remarked first year Thunder badminton player Ellis Connely. “It was my first time giving blood, so it was a new and interesting experience, but incredibly rewarding overall. Knowing that the blood I donated is going to go to multiple people in need of lifesaving procedures makes the slight discomfort I endured all worthwhile!”

Thunder badminton Head Coach Rachael Smillie added: “In another year that has been challenging for everyone, it was great to be able to give back to the community that gives so much to us. I'm proud of the athletes who took the time to donate blood, and help those in need. I truly believe understanding the importance of giving to the community is an essential part of being a student-athlete and helps shape us all into better people." 

Men’s Volleyball – Hope Mission

"Donating to the Hope Mission over the holiday season is very important to me because it allows me the opportunity to give back to my community and support individuals in receiving a warm meal. It also contributes to providing essential personal and emergency care to those living through times of challenging life circumstances” said first year libero Evan Labonne. “The Concordia Thunder Men's Volleyball team are proud to donate to this worthy organization, especially over the Christmas season as it will provide an opportunity for those less fortunate to have a proper meal and seek warmth during cold winter days. Giving back and assisting others connects our team to our community, and allows us to help our community become a better place for everyone to live!" 

Third year middle Carson Hilburn also commented on his team’s initiative: “It is easy to take for granted the warm meal that a lot of us have to celebrate the holidays. My team and I understand that many people in our community do not have this opportunity, which is why donating to an organization such as this is so important. This gave all of us such a warm feeling in our hearts because we know that we gave back to our community in a truly meaningful way.”

"Thunder Days of Giving provides an opportunity for our student athletes to take a moment to align themselves with a cause that they feel they can make a difference in their greater community. For our group we decided on donating to the Hope Mission's campaign this past holiday season to provide meals and lifesaving care for someone in need. This intuitive sets our student athletes up as citizens to know they can make a difference" added Head Coach Ken McLaughlin.

Men’s Basketball – Santa's Anonymous

The men's basketball team was joined by the Archbishop Jordan HS team, and together they loaded six vehicles with toys and were able to deliver present to more than 60 families in need across Edmonton. Speaking after the event, Head Coach Reagan Wood commented: “This is our second year working with Santa’s Anonymous and it has been an incredible experience. To see not only our team but thousands of other people stepping up and bringing some happiness to those in need at Christmas time is special. It's a great reminder to be grateful for the things you have in life and that even the smallest acts of kindness can go a long way.  Thank you to Santa’s Anonymous for having us and a special thank you to Kyla Nanan for helping us coordinate the day and making sure we had all our ducks in a row!”