REDS Adopt 18 Families

(FREDERICTON, NB) Even as they studied and wrote exams and final papers, the UNB REDS found time to dig deep and give back.

“Knowing that we changed the holiday season for so many people is fulfilling,” said Katie Butts, a member of the REDS women’s basketball team and co-president of the REDS’ Athlete’s Council. “I know many of our REDS student-athletes feel the same way.”

Driven by Athlete’s Council, the REDS adopted 18 families through the Salvation Army’s ‘Adopt A Family’ program.

All REDS’ teams participated.

Some smaller teams worked together to provide for a family, while larger teams were responsible for a single family.

They provided each adopted family with groceries for a full Christmas dinner as well as clothes and presents for each member of each family.

“Athlete’s Council has a few projects going each year that are designed to give back to the community,” said Butts. “Coach Speedy came to us with the idea that each team could adopt a Salvation Army family. In previous years, it was just our women’s basketball team. How could Athlete’s Council say no to positively affecting the holiday season for so many families?”

The Salvation Army program helps families dealing with unemployment, food insecurity, homelessness, and other challenges.

In 2021, the Salvation Army helped more than 25,000 Maritimers with holiday-season food hampers and gifts.

“Everyone wanted to be part of it,” said Brooke Le Page, a member of the REDS women’s swimming team and co-president of the Athlete’s Council. “As student-athletes, we don’t always have a lot of extra time, and taking on something like adopting a family can seem like a big responsibility. But seeing the difference it can make in our community is inspiring. Everyone on our team was able to contribute in some way, whether it was organizing, shopping, donating money or putting it all together.”

“Our student-athletes have done an amazing thing here,” said Jeff Speedy, head coach of UNB’s women’s basketball team, Assistant Director of the REDS and staff liaison with Athlete’s Council. “Thanks to their efforts, 18 families are going to have some presents under the tree and dinner at Christmas. It’s great to see so many of our teams giving back and putting smiles on peoples’ faces.”

Each team collected cash, food items, clothes, toys and other gifts based on a family profile they were provided. Everything was then given to the Fredericton-area Salvation Army for distribution to the families in need.

“With women’s basketball, we divided tasks equally,” said Butts. “We had a family with six kids, so two players were given the assignment to shop for each kid and everyone was more than eager to contribute, so it didn’t take too much from any one person.”

“No child should have to wake up Christmas morning without knowing the joy of presents under the tree,” said Tanya Arseneault, the Salvation Army’s Community Ministries Coordinator in Fredericton. “With the help of the REDS, there are eighteen families who will get to experience the magic of Christmas this year. We are so grateful for their support.”

“Giving back to our community, as REDS and as UNB students, is important,” said Butts. “We love showing how grateful we are for the support we get and the opportunities we’ve been given.”

“Talking with a few of my teammates, we acknowledge the warm feeling we get with sponsoring a family and being able to help them,” she added.

As fulfilling as the exercise was for most, it was also a reality check.

“I had a huge eye-opening experience while shopping for our family,” said Le Page. “Everything was very expensive and the money we’d pooled was running out very fast. It made me realize how hard Christmas time can be for families. Being able to give back is heartwarming. I’m looking forward to what we’re able to do next year.”

STORY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS: UNB Athletics