Sports Reporter
PRESQUE ISLE – A Yankee swap Christmas party had been a tradition for coach Tim McCue’s Presque Isle junior varsity girls basketball team, but this year’s captains decided to go in a different direction with their celebration.
The team still ventured to their coach’s house for the party, but instead of getting gifts for each other, members brought in gifts to include in five boxes earmarked for U.S. military personnel serving in Afghanistan.
“We all thought it’d be a good idea,” said one of the captains, Claire Cheney, whose father David is stationed in Afghanistan. “We have another player whose father is being deployed, and coach’s son (Dan) is also over there, so everyone got behind it.”
The squad came up with a list of items, including food, magazines and toiletries, and brought them to the party to pack along with a letter that team members signed and included in the boxes.
“It takes special kids to come up with something like that,” coach McCue said.
Cheney said the generosity her team displayed could very well become a tradition for future teams.
“I think it’ll definitely be an option,” she said.
Contributed photo
CHARITABLE ‘CATS – Members of the Presque Isle junior varsity girls basketball team who packed boxes for the military troops in Afghanistan as part of their team Christmas party were, in front from left, Jessica Dumais, Liza Buck, Laurin Ackerson, Claire Cheney, Amelia Sharpe and Kristen Ackerson. Second row, Kayla Girardin, Haley Bouchard, Dani Wolland, Madison Michaud, Samantha Simonds and Kali Warner. Third row, Brooke Lovely, Kailey Shaw and Megan Kaiser. Back row, Katelyn McPherson and Katie Patenaude.
