When the Lynn Jets and Somerville hockey teams met in the season opener for both teams two Saturdays ago, the result was a thriller that ended in a 7-7 tie. The Jets and Highlanders met again this past weekend, only this time it was for a cause far greater than hockey.
In the spirit of giving, the two teams held toy drives last week and came together to donate the gifts to Lynn’s Item Santa and Somerville’s Mystic Learning Center.
The Highlanders held their toy drive during the Dec. 15 game against the Jets at Veterans Memorial Rink. The drive went well and Lynn decided to follow suit with its own toy drive during the Dec. 19 home opener against Gloucester at William P. Connery Rink. Over 70 gifts were collected by the two teams.
“Kevin Wilson, the head coach of the Somerville Highlanders, is a great guy and came up with the idea to do a toy drive during our season opener,” Jets coach Mike Roberts said. “It was very successful the first night so we also decided to do the same during our home opener. Combined between the two teams we had 70 gifts which were split between Item Santa and the Mystic Learning Center.”
Roberts said the goal was to make Christmas a special memory for those who need a helping hand.
“This time of year is usually a happy time of year but unfortunately there are people in our communities that don’t have the same privileges we have,” Roberts said. “Our goal was to give back to those individuals to make Christmas special for those who may not have the opportunity. It feels good to be able to help those in need and put smiles on faces that may not otherwise have them on Christmas morning.”
