Ducks Take Part in Holiday Shopping Spree for Local Kids

Mentorship, connection and giving back to the community were the themes this week as the Ducks shared the joy of the season with 18 deserving students from the Santa Ana-based nonprofit The Wooden Floor

Several Ducks players and their wives or significant others - along with Ducks staff members - met up with the students at the Irvine Spectrum Target for a holiday shopping spree. The longstanding partnership between the club and The Wooden Floor is in its 15th year of providing this once-in-a-lifetime experience for students whose families have limited resources, thus ensuring gifts under the tree for Christmas.
"It really makes me feel like this is a community, and they make me feel loved," said Foothill high school senior and a student at The Wooden Floor, Megan Escobar. "I really appreciate them for that. I never thought I'd get an opportunity like this, and I think it will really help me for my future."

Escobar's future plans include attending a four-year university and studying to be an anesthetist nurse. Accompanied by defenseman Cam Fowler and his wife Jasmine, she chose school supplies and other dorm-related items that will prepare her for campus life next year.
"It's really exciting for us, and it's something that Jasmine and I have loved to be a part of," Fowler said. "It's just a great way to kick off the holidays and help some kids who are really in need. You can see the excitement on their faces when they get to pick out some stuff that they really need and that they really like. So that made it all worth it for us."
Added Jasmine Fowler, "We had some girls (in our group) that are going to college next year, so we had to prep them for college life. We got some coffee makers, some fans. We did some practical shopping. But then we also got some of the basics."
Donning Ducks-themed holiday sweaters, Fowler was joined by teammates Sam Carrick, Troy Terry, Max Comtois, John Gibson, Urho Vaakaninen and Isac Lundestrom. Also contributing to the event sponsorship but not in attendance were Kevin and Deanna Shattenkirk, Jakob and Clara Silfverberg, and ocV!BE CEO Bill Foltz and his wife Robbie.

Fowler is a long-time participant in this annual holiday giving event, and was glad to be back in person with the students for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
"As Ducks, it's a big part of our team, and something that comes along with being a hockey players is being a part of the community," Fowler said. "So it's great to represent the team and help these kids out in any way we can. Definitely getting involved in the community is a big part of being an Anaheim Duck."
A creative arts-based youth development program established in 1983, The Wooden Floor uses the power of dance to reach underserved youth in the Orange County community. The nonprofit organization uses a holistic model that provides after-school dance education programming, as well as college readiness support and family services. Their two Santa Ana locations serve 475 students annually.
As a result of their commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty for local students and families, 100 percent of The Wooden Floor graduates since 2005 have completed high school on time and have immediately enrolled in higher education, despite a recent drop nationally in college enrollment due to the pandemic.

Escobar is in her ninth and final year at The Wooden Floor and recently completed submitting her college applications. Her involvement in the program has opened the door for her to pursue higher education, something she did not think was possible.
"I'm just I'm really grateful to have grown up with all these people that have influenced me for the better," Escobar said. "Now, because of The Wooden Floor, I'm able to go to college, and that's really exciting."
Next year, The Wooden Floor will be celebrating its 40th anniversary, and CEO Dawn S. Reese feels it is events like these that provide transformative experiences for the students.
"This is a really wonderful time that we believe aligns with our belief in excellence in all we do for the students," Reese said. "This gives the children the opportunity to maybe not think of some of the challenges that they're facing. The players really bring this experience to life."
This was the first time participating in the shopping spree for Ducks forward Troy Terry and his wife Dani, who spent time filling shopping carts with clothes, books and games for three boys.
"It's awesome just to be around them," Terry said. "This may be more fun for us than it is for them. So we're just happy to be here."
Ten-year old Xavier Gaytan is in his second year with The Wooden Floor and was thrilled to spend the afternoon with Terry and the Ducks.
"I really got to enjoy myself today, having this shopping experience," Gaytan said. "I picked out some clothes, socks and Legos."
Gaytan feels being a student at The Wooden Floor has supported his love for dance and has helped him develop his confidence.
"I get to meet a lot of people, and my favorite part is the dancing," Gaytan said. "It really gives me a chance."

At the conclusion of the event, the Ducks players spent time with the students taking photos signing autographs. Before boarding the bus, one more surprise awaited the group as each child received a 43" Smart TV from TCL, an Anaheim Ducks community partner.
Grateful for the continued partnership, generosity and support provided by the Ducks, Reese acknowledged that what may seem like a small gesture is in fact a catalyst for impactful change in the lives of the students.
"I think it's just an example of what our community can do when we work as one," Reese said. "These children are going to be our future leaders of our community. And you say, they're only together an hour and a half. How does it make such a difference? Someone took the time out of their day to be with you for that hour and a half and to give you that joyful experience. That's going to last with you a lifetime."
For more information about The Wooden Floor, visit
thewoodenfloor.org
.