Hawks Spreading the Christmas Cheer!

2025-12-13

Stocking Stuffers for Seniors Returns for 2025

Members of the Edmonton Collegiate Hawks and Riverhawks organization were excited to take part in Operation Friendship Senior Society’s annual Stocking Stuffers for Seniors campaign for the third year in a row!

The Stocking Stuffers for Seniors program partners with local care homes to bring Christmas cheer to deserving seniors in our community. Edmontonian's are encouraged to pick up a senior’s wish list at a London Drugs location across the city and help fulfill a special holiday wish.

The Hawks’ day began at the London Drugs warehouse, where players helped Operation Friendship volunteers sort and pack hundreds of gifts to be delivered to seniors across the city.

With the Riverhawks truck loaded up, the Hawks then headed out to care homes throughout Edmonton’s inner city to drop off the holiday packages.

It’s an initiative that hits close to home for Collegiate Hawks player Brad Jolley.

“I have two sets of grandparents who are in retirement residences, and they are across the country, so they don’t have a lot of family close by. Events like this, where you’re able to bring someone a Christmas gift, brings people a lot of joy and is something that they can look forward to. Providing joy to these people is just unbelievable.”

Head Coach Jake Lanferman was on hand for his third Stocking Stuffers for Seniors campaign and is happy to see the program grow each year.

“Within our own organization, [Stocking Stuffers for Seniors is] something that our players are always excited for, " said Lanferman. “We’ve been doing it for three years now, and getting to spend time with them and interact with the seniors. It’s an incredible job by Operation Friendship to put all this together. To be a small part of it is something we take great pride in.”

While the impact on seniors is significant, Lanferman also notes the importance of community involvement for the development of the young players in the Riverhawks program.

“Being from Sherwood Park and the Edmonton area, it means something very special to myself but also our players, " he said. “Getting involved in the community is a great way to represent us, and they are such great young men. Building character [for our players] is something we’re always trying to do.”

Today, Stocking Stuffers for Seniors supports more than 6,000 seniors across the Greater Edmonton Area. To learn more about the program or how you can support its mission, visit ofss.org/events/stocking-stuffers-for-seniors.