Kelowna Chiefs collect for those in need

The Kelowna Chiefs hockey team decided to do something different for the holidays over a usual teddy bear toss.

The team opted to do its first, ‘So You Want to Be a Sock-star’ night to help Kelowna’s Gospel Mission.

And with a deep cold snap expected in the coming days, the donations are sure to help the organization.

Alex Draper, Marketing and Game Day Operations for the Kelowna Chiefs told Kelowna10 initially the game was going to be a teddy bear toss, until he was given the idea to do something new.

“My friends from Stutters Restorations were doing their toy drive and I said we’re going to do our teddy bear toss and we’ll come and give you all our teddy bears and she said, ‘no, we don’t need any more bears,” he said. “She suggested doing something different, do something to help the homeless. Whether it’s sweaters, socks, and we grew that idea and expanded on it. And we thought, ‘man, this could have some legs.’”

Fans didn’t have to wait long to throw their socks, toques, scarves, and gloves on the ice as the Chiefs scored just over three minutes into the game, courtesy of Jesse Lee.

The result, several bags filled with warm clothing were collected thanks to the fans.

Draper said the event, despite being in its infancy, turned out better than expected.

“I was really excited,” he said. “First of all, we scored early, and I don’t think a lot of people were in their seats yet and some of us weren’t even ready. I turned around and there was clothing all over the ice, and our players scooped it all up and it will be taken to Gospel Mission.”