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With three little ones,
Christmas is always a time
of joy and anticipation
for the Schultz family. So much so,
that every year, Nick and Jessica’s
children, Jake, Brooke, and Sydney
each get to open a present early on
Christmas Eve. And on Christmas
morning, after the kids unwrap Santa’s
handiwork, the Schultzes take their
annual family photo in front of the
Christmas tree (with an occasional
appearance from the four-legged
member of the family).
Nick, Jessica and Schultz children pose in front of the tree for a family photo.
Nick helps his kids set up their brand new toy Nerf gun.
Nick Schultz
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6
It’s all about the dessert for the Leier
family during Christmas time. Mama
Leier makes a big batch of sugar
cookies and holds a contest to see who
can decorate the confections the best.
Surrounded by the comfort of family, the
night is spent devouring the baked goods.
Taylor Leier58
Pierre-Edouard
Bellemare
78
Chris VandeVelde’s son, Levin, opens a gift from Santa!
During the Christmas holiday, the VandeVelde’s like to emphasize the
importance of togetherness and family. Every year on Christmas Eve,
they attend church and afterwards, they gather around the table for a
special Christmas dinner. As a family, they clean up dinner and wash the dishes
before they can open their presents that night.
Chris
VandeVelde
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The Bellemare family likes to celebrate their Christmas Eve in traditional
French style, which includes a holiday meal of oysters, snails, and turkey.
The meal begins at 11 p.m. and is followed by gift opening at midnight.
7
Steve Mason
35
Claude Giroux and girlfriend Ryanne
Breton like to spend the holiday with
a full house. With the whole family
occupying Claude and Ryanne’s home, Ryanne’s
mother provides everyone with special matching
pajamas. On Christmas morning, coffee with
Baileys Irish Cream is a must, and Ryanne’s step
dad Dave serves his “Eggs Benedave” specialty.
Christmas has always
been a cherished
holiday for the
Mason family. So much so,
that on Christmas Eve when
Steve was younger, his father
would dress up in a Santa
Claus costume and surprise
him and his sister. Now,
Steve’s family spends the
holiday here in Philadelphia
where they like to enjoy a
turkey dinner all together.
Claude Giroux
28
Claude Giroux and girlfriend Ryanne Breton sporting matching Christmas outfits with their puppy Harvey.
A Gingerbread house masterpiece made by Claude Giroux and Ryanne along with Matt and Erin Read.
8
Every Christmas Eve, Luke
and Jessica Schenn
celebrate Jessica’s special
Polish family tradition known as
Polish Wigilia. The traditional Polish
Christmas meal includes a special
Christmas wafer (opłatek), fish
dishes and Borscht with Uszka
(tortellini), pierogis, potato salad,
cabbage, beets, and an array of
delicious desserts.
Luke Schenn22
Luke and Jessica Schenn pose for a photo at last year’s Flyers Holiday Skate.
Christmas decorations done by the Schenn family.
Jessica Schenn’s pierogi preparation.
9
Christmas is Jake Voracek and girlfriend Nicole Warnecke’s favorite time
of the year. With Jake’s Czech heritage and Nicole’s American heritage,
Czech food is served on Christmas Eve and American food is served on
Christmas day. The scrumptious Czech cookies served on Christmas Eve always
seem to be the highlight.
Every Christmas, the Gostisbeheres grandparent’s house is the holiday
hot spot for a big steak dinner. Shayne says he will always remember one
Christmas in particular when he got a set of street hockey goalie pads.
He remembers the excitement of receiving them, putting them on right away, and
going outside to have his dad shoot on him on Christmas morning.
Shayne Gostisbehere
53
Jakub Voracek
93
Jakub Voracek and girlfriend Nicole Warnecke are all smiles at last year’s Flyers Holiday Skate.
10
The Laughtons are surrounded by
relatives during the Christmas
holiday. Scott and his family
enjoy opening their gifts and setting up
the Christmas tree together. Every year,
Pop-Pop Laughton gives hilarious gifts
that always become the family’s source
of entertainment for the night.
When it comes to the
holidays, Michael Raffl
will always remember
receiving and playing his all-time
favorite Christmas gift: Sega Mega
Drive. Michael says that Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles was always
his game of choice.
Scott Laughton
21
Michael !"
12
11
For the Hakstol family, Christmas means spending time together as a family, and,
of course, a little hockey. The festivities start on Christmas Eve when the family
attends an afternoon children’s church service, share a holiday meal, and exchange
gifts. Then, after much anticipation for Santa’s overnight visit, Hakstol children Avery and
Brenden wake up early to open presents. The highlight of the day, however, is the annual
family hockey game at the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, ND which features
Hakstol family members ages 2-65 taking to the ice together.
Dave Hakstol
12
THANKSGIVE
Taking time to give and
64
On an off-night just before this year’s Thanksgiving holiday, the Philadelphia Flyers, along with their significant others, took a moment to pause and give back. Over 10 of the team’s players, including Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, and Steve Mason, dropped the gloves to prepare and serve a full Thanksgiving meal to children and their families staying at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House in the West Philadelphia neighborhood of the city.
The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House (PRMH) supports families of seriously ill children by creating a community of comfort and hope. PRMH is built on the foundation of providing holistic support to families —including comfortable rooms, daily home-cooked meals, complimentary vans to the hospital, social worker assistance, and the support of other families who understand—so that they can stay together and stay focused on the health and well-being of their child and their family as a whole.
Families like the Odum’s are extremely grateful for organizations like the Philadelphia Flyers. Chris Odum and his seven-year-old son Xander, residents of Upstate New York, have been coming to the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald house for the majority of Xander’s life. Xander has undergone several surgeries, including three for his heart. “For these guys to take the time with their girlfriends and wives, we’re very humbled and very appreciative,” said Odum.
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Sounds of laughter and conversation took over the house, while the smells of the delicious meal prepared filled the air. With Jakub Voracek’s girlfriend, Nicole Warnecke, running point, the team took two hours to prepare turkey, ham, an array of sides, pies, and more for the children and their families to enjoy.
“I think that when the wives and girlfriends, as well as the guys, can cook a meal for the Ronald McDonald House, it really puts things in perspective. It allows us to step back and forget about hockey for the night, really focus on what’s important, and give back the Philadelphia community,” said Warnecke.
Following dinner, the players joined the children and their families for coloring and games. They also took time to sign autographs and take photos. “It’s a lot of fun to be able to interact with the kids and be able to help out. It’s a fun team event,” said Flyers Captain Claude Giroux.
Susan Campbell, the executive director of the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, was extremely honored to host a team like the Philadelphia Flyers. “Having the Flyers come and take some time out of their busy
game schedule…and taking the time to talk to the community, it really means the world to the families that are staying here. It is a great representation of the Flyers organization and their commitment to the community,” said Campbell.
While winning games may be important to this team, seeing the smiles on the children’s faces may just be the most rewarding win of them all. This is not only a night that the players will cherish, but more importantly the families, as they made memories that will stick with them for a lifetime.
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