Aviators in the Community: Elmira squad cleans streets and visits a school in outreach efforts
The Elmira Aviators are making a concerted effort to get out into the local community and make a difference. While the hockey players are constantly skating, training, and studying to improve their on-ice game, the Aviators took time to help others in the Elmira area this week.
On Wednesday, the hockey club took to the streets to collect trash scattered on the sidewalks and roads. The players walked in groups along South Main Street cleaning up any garbage they discovered.
It may not have been the most fun job in the world, but forward Andrew DellaDonna noted the importance of community involvement.
“The fans support us, we’re just trying to support them,” DellaDonna said. “(As a) new organization we want to prove that it’s not just all about hockey and we want to be a part of the community as well.”
DellaDonna is a New York native, hailing from Syracuse, and was intentional during the road cleanup. The Aviators worked together to tackle approximately 1.5 miles of road during their cleaning efforts.
Forward Jett Otwell cherished bonding with his teammates while making a difference in Elmira.
“I think all the guys can find fun in anything, and picking up trash with the guys, it brings us together a little bit,” Otwell said.
After the full team took on cleaning the streets, the guys split into smaller groups for a visit to St. Mary Our Mother school on Thursday.
In the morning, players took turns reading Halloween-themed books to Kindergarten and first-grade students. Then, in the afternoon, team members joined 5th—and 6th-grade students for physical education.
Aviators forward Cooper Eberhardt cherishes the opportunity to be a role model for kids.
“We get to see the kids smile, we get to make them happy,” Eberhardt said. “We’re almost seen as, I guess, role models to them and it’s just good to know that people look up to us.”
Eberhardt led the kids and his teammates in dynamic stretches for warm-ups during PE. He also got to play goalie during the kids’ floor hockey game, which, to no surprise, was his favorite part of the day.
“Playing the hockey with them, seeing them smile, laugh and everyone was going hard, everyone was having fun and it’s just awesome to be with them,” Eberhardt said.
The Aviators will be out making a difference in Elmira and the surrounding areas all year long, so be sure to be on the lookout for more of their off-ice efforts.
Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him email [email protected].