Boston Bruins Go Holiday Shopping For Children In Need

BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Bruins did a little holiday shopping after practice on Monday.

But this wasn't the ordinary holiday shopping that all of us will be cramming in over the next six weeks. The Bruins donned their Santa caps on Monday to fill their carts with toys for those who can't celebrate the holidays at home.

Patrice Bergeron led the way for the sixth straight year as the Bruins held their annual Holiday Toy Shopping trip at Target in Everett, as members of the team filled their carts with all sorts of goodies.

Even the injured David Pastrnak took part. He wasn't going to let his broken foot get in the way of some holiday fun, as he shopped for toys with a motorized scooter.

Pastrnak told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz he enjoyed playing Santa Claus.

"It's great (to) make the kids happy," he said.

Monday's shopping was only half the fun for the Bruins. Every toy purchased will be given as gifts to over 600 children in Boston-area hospitals. The entire Bruins roster will deliver the toys on December 10 to children at Boston Children's Hospital, Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Shriners Hospital for Children, Franciscan Hospital for Children and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

"It means a lot to all the guys to be here and help out. It's not too much of our time, but it goes a long way," said Bergeron. "It's fun to come here and pick up toys that you're going to deliver to kids in hospitals around Boston. It's great to see their wish lists and try to fulfill those wishes."

While filling a cart with all kinds of toys and games off of a kid's wish list is a lot of fun, nothing can beat actually handing them off and making a child's day.

"It's an amazing reaction," said Bergeron. "I means a lot just to see the smile they get from getting those gifts and getting to meet the players."

"This is something I always look forward to and the rest of the guys do as well," added forward Brad Marchand. "It's something we enjoy, taking the time to do this and seeing how excited the kids are when we go to deliver them. It's always a lot of fun and something we love to be a part of."

Everything purchased on Monday was funded by donations from the Bruins players, coaching staff and the Boston Bruins Foundation.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports

In:
• Boston Bruins
• Patrice Bergeron
• NHL
• Bernice Corpuz
• Brad Marchand