CHEO kids got a special visit from Ottawa Senators

2 hours ago

Ottawa Citizen

The Sens visit to CHEO, Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice and Ronald McDonald House brought joy to kids facing illness during the holidays.

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Published Dec 11, 2024 • Last updated 7 hours ago • 2 minute read

The Ottawa Senators colour with kids at the CHEO school Dec. 10th, 2024. Annie Tuba/Postmedia Photo by Annie Tuba /Postmedia

Laughter echoed through the halls of CHEO as Ottawa Senators players brought gifts and games to kids spending the season in the hospital.

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Three sectors of the hospital, the CHEO school, Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice and Ronald McDonald House were paid visits on Dec. 10 with signed t-shirts and beanies.

Sens winger Adam Gaudette coloured with a group of kids while talking about what they were looking forward to for the holidays. He said it brings him joy to see how the players’ visit brings out so much excitement for the kids.

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“It’s a lot of fun to do, and they seem to have a blast here, and getting to play hockey with them, and seeing the smiles on their faces, it’s definitely special,” he said. Earlier Gaudette had played goalie while kids shot balls into the net.

Joining the Senators in 2021, Gaudette has done their annual CHEO visit before.

“It’s special being able to see the young kids like this, and you know, they’re obviously going through a lot, and it’s nice to be able to get their minds off of it and then take it away,” Gaudette said.

Ginette Fournier, a teacher at the school, said it was the highlight of the children’s week. Issues with accessibility can hold them back from being able to play sports, she said, “It’s like we’re bringing the fun to them, instead of them going out to the fun.”

The Ottawa Senators and their mascot, Spartacat sit down and draw with kids at the CHEO school Dec. 10th, 2024. Annie Tuba/Postmedia Photo by Annie Tuba /Postmedia

The kids vary between three to six years old as they spend junior and senior kindergarten with her. Having outreach programs to come into the hospitals allows the students to play safely, Fournier explained.

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“It’s so important for the kids to have these types of events, it can be encouraging and motivating for them,” Fournier said.

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Steve Read, CEO of the CHEO Foundation, said having initiatives like a visit from the Senators brings morale into the building.

“They do it just because they’re here to just put smiles on the faces of kids that they know are unfortunately here at CHEO over the holidays,” he said. “It’s not for their sake. They’re doing it for us, and we really appreciate it.”

All three organizations work together over the holidays to do initiatives to lighten the load on the kids, he said. A variety of activities took place during their visit including playing hockey, eating cookies and hot chocolate and colouring with the team’s mascot, Spartacat.

Being able to celebrate the holidays with the kids during tough times helps them have something to look forward to, explained Fournier. As they approach the holidays more events like this are to come.

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