Courtesy: Brandon University News Release
BRANDON – 'Tis the season and the Brandon University Bobcats have the Christmas spirit! The Bobcats invite you to join them to bask in the glow of the sights and sounds of the holidays.
Saturday, December 3 is the final game before the holiday break for the Bobcats as they host the Fraser Valley Cascades and BU Athletics is planning a pre-Christmas celebration to coincide with the contests. Fans are invited to wear their best – or ugliest – Christmas sweater to the games, and to bring a new, unwrapped toy, non-perishable food item, or other donation for Christmas Cheer and Samaritan House.
Quick Facts:
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First 50 Brandon University students to attend wearing a Christmas sweater receive a free slice of pizza or hotdog from canteen
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New, unwrapped toys being collected for Christmas Cheer
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Non-perishable food items being collected for Samaritan House
"I think it is going to be a really exciting event," said fourth-year forward Amy Williams. "Christmas is one of my favourite holidays. It is a time full of joy and happiness. I think it could be a very lively and happy event that everyone could have a great time at."
"Being part of a team means contributing together to important causes," said BU President Dr. Gervan Fearon. "We can all be part of the team by coming to cheer on our BU Bobcats and contributing to Samaritan House and Christmas Cheer."
BU students are encouraged to the show their holiday spirit by wearing Christmas sweaters. The first 50 students in attendance will receive a complimentary slice of pizza or a hot dog from the canteen.
Jolly old St. Nicholas will also make the long trip from the North Pole to cheer on the Bobcats. Santa will also be available for photos with any young members of Bobcat Nation.
"It is a cool event and hopefully we will get the chance to play in front of a lot of people, while giving back to the community at the same time," said second-year guard Josh Bell. "We want to pick up a win for our fans and support worthwhile projects in the city."
The Bobcats will be lending a helping hand to the less fortunate.
Samaritan House committee members will be at the games to raise awareness and collect food donations. Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item. Samaritan House is currently serving 1,700 hampers per-month.
"Everybody is a fan of the Brandon Bobcats and so are we," said Samaritan House executive director Thea Dennis. "We want to cheer everyone on and in turn have them cheer on those who are in need in our community."
Meanwhile, the Brandon-Westman Christmas Cheer Registry is also taking in the contests. Organizers are in need of toys, socks, knitted items, board games, crayons, colouring books, toothbrushes and toothpaste. In the past few years, between 900-950 hampers have been prepared for families in need.
"To me this is my Christmas more then actually Christmas Day," said Christmas Cheer chairperson Myrna Lane. "Our board members realize there is a need out there and we get a good feeling that we are helping someone that needs some assistance this time of the year."
The women's game starts at 5 p.m., followed by the men's contest at 7 p.m on Saturday, December 3 at the Healthy Living Centre
