Bruins Continue Holiday Tradition With Annual Toy Shopping Event
BOSTON (CBS) - For everyone in the NHL, it's been a very frustrating couple of months since the beginning of the lockout.
But on Monday, it was hard to find a face without a smile as the Boston Bruins continued an annual tradition: shopping for toys for children who will not get to spend the holidays at home.
President Cam Neely and head Coach Claude Julien were among the many Bruins representatives on hand Monday morning at the Target in Woburn, filling up shopping carts with everything from toys, board games, clothing and, of course, a few pieces of Bruins gear.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones Reports:
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The Boston Bruins Foundation, Delaware North Companies and Garden Neighborhood Charities chipped in to purchase $22,500 worth of toys, which will be delivered to hospitals around Boston on Wednesday, December 19.
"It's great that we get the opportunity to do that, and it makes you feel good," said Julien, who sported a Boston Bruins Santa cap while wheeling a toy-filled shopping card throughout the store. "To put a smile on some of those kids' faces in the next few days or weeks, it's a special day for me."
Julien On Giving Back, NHL Lockout:
"It's fantastic to be involved with this. To have children that are not able to be home for Christmas, you can shed some light on the holidays for them. It's great for the organization to do," said Neely.
"We're in a position to be able to give back, and it's an obligation that you should fulfill," Neely added. "We're fortunate to be able to do what we do for a living. Obviously there is a lot of hard work and effort put into it, but we're fortunate to do what we do for a living. Because of what we do, it makes a difference in how people thing of sports or individual teams. For us to get out and get involved in the communities in various ways – like buying toys for kids – it's something we should be doing."
Neely On Giving Back:
The hospitals receiving this year's toy donations include Boston Children's Hospital, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Shriners Hospital for Children, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Hallmark Health System Hospitals, Franciscan Hospital for Children and Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center.
Bruins Hall of Famer Ray Bourque started the tradition when he was captain, and the event has continued through the years.
