Ice Hockey and Warm Blankets
Saturday night brought a win for the Chicago Wolves in their home game against the Grand Rapids Griffins. It was also a victory for the 200 volunteers who showed up before the game for the Chicago Wolves’ 10th annual Faith & Fellowship Night.
The Salvation Army partnered with the Wolves for this service event, during which volunteers of all ages made 150 fleece blankets and more than 100 care bags – filled with toothpaste, shampoo, tissues, and other personal items – for Chicago’s homeless. Salvation Army staff and volunteers with the mobile feeding and homeless outreach program will distribute these essential items as they make their nightly stops throughout Chicago to deliver meals, needed services, and caring conversation to those with nowhere to call home.
“The importance was to teach my kids to give back,” said Mundelein resident Angelo Cordoba, who attended the Faith & Fellowship Night with his wife and their children, 14-year-old Isabella and 12-year-old Michaelangelo. “They need to understand it’s not just about us, it’s about everybody. They need to grow up and serve mankind and God.”
Michaelangelo appeared to get the message. “If God did all of this stuff for us,” he said, “then we should help back.”
Members of Algonquin’s Cub Scout Troop 155 also volunteered, including 8-year-old Collin Cords, and his two younger brothers, Declan and Brekin. Collin said he hopes the blankets help those less fortunate feel good.
His father was grateful for the teaching moment. “We like doing it for them so they learn there are others less fortunate and it’s always good to provide back to the community,” he said.
“It is really special to see this event come together the way it did. The generosity and spirit of all of the people who participated in today's service project was incredible,” said Jon Sata, Senior Vice President of Partnerships for the Chicago Wolves.
While this was the Wolves’ 10th annual Faith & Fellowship Night, it was their first time adding a service project to the event and their first time partnering with The Salvation Army. “We anticipate that this will be the first of many events like this,” Jon said, “and we're thrilled to be partnered with The Salvation Army at the onset of the first Wolves Day of Service.”
The event was a success, and those who will receive the blankets and care packages created that night are the true victors. As Linda Reiter, Volunteer Resource Manager at The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division, told those participating in this inaugural event, “Because of you, people who are living on the streets or in shelters are going to have blankets to keep them warm tonight.”
See more photos on Flickr and learn more about the mobile outreach unit or how you can volunteer.