Williams Lake RCMP Staff Sgt. Brad McKinnon wore his uniform and his coach persona as he steered his team and fellow officers for a Cram the cruiser food drive Sunday, Oct. 6.
Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. the U15 Williams Lake Rep Hockey team greeted shoppers outside of Save-on-Foods where McKinnon had brought a RCMP pickup truck they hoped to fill with donations for the Salvation Army food bank in advance of the Thanksgiving weekend.
Within 90 minutes the back of the truck was brimming with donations, they'd accepted $1,400 in cash donations they were going to use to purchase grocery cards with and residents had purchased many turkeys that Save-on-Foods was willing to keep in the freezer.
Salvation Army community ministries director Tamara Robinson said the Salvation Army was picking up the food on Tuesday afternoon.
"We were told they got two truckloads," she said.
Hockey team manager Tanis Rosa said it was neat to see some of the team players who are normally shy step up and help shoppers throughout the event, returning carts or carrying groceries.
Members of the team include Liam Marchand, Blaine Huffman, Easton Neuner, Holden Dell, Chace Johnston, Rhett Derksen, Anthony Dyck, Gabriel Friizzi, Treyson Brereton, Luca Rosa, Owen Killian, Layne Gentles, Chase Benvin, Dexten Rolph, Reid Rife, Austin Mathews, Kesler Linklater, Aaron Sanford, Hudson McKinnon, Jaxon Sidor, Sehaj Virk, Teerach Suapa, Reed Christenson and Wade Hansen.
In an update Wednesday evening, Rosa said in total they collected 1,281.8 pounds of food which worked out to a total value of $4,588.34.
