The Ottawa Senators brought smiles to children and families at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) during their annual holiday visit.
Sens players, along with team mascot Spartacat, spent the afternoon visiting inpatients at CHEO and Roger Neilson House, as well as kids at the CHEO School and Ronald McDonald House.
Team members arrived ready for fun, playing some hockey, colouring and signing autographs, to spread holiday cheer.
“If we can just take a little bit out of our day and put a smile on these kids faces, it means a lot,” says Ottawa Senators centre Nick Cousins. “This is what it’s all about.”
For families like Isabelle Bujold’s, whose daughter Audrey requires treatment and a stay at Ronald McDonald House over Christmas, the visit was uplifting.
“We’ve been her for a month now. My daughter is a Type 1 diabetic, and they recently are testing her heart for other conditions,” says Bujold, who lives in Long Sault. “Ronald McDonald House is a home away from home and it’s truly amazing to see the players interact with the kids and just come here to cheer them up and give them that extra happiness that.”
The Ottawa Senators players make their annual Christmas visit to CHEO on Tuesday. (Tyler Fleming/CTV News Ottawa)
Over at CHEO School, Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, teammates and Spartacat joined students for arts and crafts, along with a little ball hockey.
“This community has been so great to us,” says Tkachuk. “And just to give back in any way that we can, especially for the holiday season. I know it’s a tough time for a lot of people, a lot of families, but if we’re able to put a smile on a bunch of people’s faces, it’s the reason why we do what we do.”
The initiative, a cherished annual tradition, also included stops at Roger Neilson House, where children and players made gingerbread houses together.
“When we can something fun with the kids, that really takes away what they’re worried about for a few minutes and puts a smile on their face,” says Megan Wright, Roger Neilson House executive director. “And for the kids, to see the smiles on their faces two weeks before Christmas, doing something that all kids should get the opportunity to do … and do that with people who really care about them in the community.”
The Senators’ visit underscores their commitment to giving back to the community and bringing holiday cheer to those who need it most.