Recently, the Washington Capitals sponsored a canned food drive benefiting the food bank at the Verizon Center. I haven’t been to a hockey game since the early 1990’s and I did not know what to expect. Every team has a personality and I was about to experience Capitals personality at its best! The Caps were playing the Philadelphia Flyers and we all knew that it was going to be an epic night. Two weeks prior, the Caps beat the Flyers in overtime so the stage was set.
Fans arrived ready for a great game but we stayed focused on our mission for the night – to feed those who suffer from hunger in the Washington Metropolitan Area by acquiring food and distributing it through our network of member agencies, and to educate, empower and enlighten the community about the issues of hunger and nutrition.
Wives of the Washington Capitals stood side by side with food bank staff and volunteers to collect food and monetary donations. Mix 107.3’s Chilli Amar was there, too, and everyone soon got into the spirit of the event. It helped that the first 2,000 fans to donate received a Nicklas Backstrom poster. That night, we collected over 1 ton of food and enough monetary donations for 2700 meals, so I would say we had a great night! And, once again, Tires Plus and Bridgestone Tires donated $7,500 to our cause.
After volunteering, we were able to watch the game, and what a game it was. When the Capitals fell behind, the fans spoke out in unison, “Unleash the fury!” And unleash it, they did. The Caps came back to tie the game and hold on in overtime. Unfortunately, they lost in the shootout! It was a great night for the food bank and a great way for volunteers John Lodge and Rusty Lingenfelter and his daughter, Margret, to start the holidays. To all those who helped make the night possible, we send thanks out to you. The Capitals and their fans more than proved once again that they are not only fiercely devoted to the game, but very generous at heart.
It’s always a great feeling to be able to work together as a community. It reminds us all to truly give thanks for all of our blessings.