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Vancouver Canucks players visit children’s hospital, help kids carve pumpkins

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James O’Brien

I’ve said it before when discussing the many charitable promotions hockey players take part in, but it never gets old to see professional athletes take the time - rather than just spending money - to help others.

You’ll see these kind of events pick up around Thanksgiving, Christmas and more traditionally charitable holidays, but it’s also nice to see some nice moments during a holiday associated with childhood such as Halloween.

Five members of the Vancouver Canucks visited Canuck Place Children’s Hospice to help children carve pumpkins and celebrate the holiday earlier this week. Sami Salo, Dan Hamhuis, Alex Bolduc, Alex Burrows, Guillaume Desbiens and the team’s mascot took time out of their schedules to spend time with some less fortunate kids.

Cozied up beside Holli Vanderwyk, a wheelchair bound 14-year-old with spinal muscular atrophy and a smile that could melt the sun, Salo played the role of surgeon cutting more than 10 stars into their jack-o'-lantern. Holli supervised his work while siblings Dexter and Amy carved pumpkins of their own making this a true family event that mother Susie cherished.

“It’s something that is pretty special for not just Holli, but all the kids to be able to participate in as a family together,” said Susie. “It seems like in life there’s a lot of stress and just to have a day of fun, I think it’s just fantastic. It’s great that these guys want to come out and spend their time doing something for the kids and it’s very much appreciated by everyone.”

It was clear that both parties, players and kids, were enjoying themselves to the fullest, meaning Canuck Place deserves the most praise for bringing the two together.

On the surface Canuck Place provides specialized pediatric palliative care for children living with a life-threatening illness and support for their families throughout British Columbia, but those with experience at Canuck Place know it offers so much more.


To see a gallery of the Canucks carving up pumpkins with children from the hospital click here. Read
the full story here. Finally, here is one more photo from the great event.
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James O’Brien

(Both photos via the Canucks’ gallery.)