REDS Support Angel Tree Program
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS are continuing their strong tradition of holiday season community service by participating in the 2025 Greener Village Angel Tree Program.
The REDS have provided Christmas gifts for 92 children.
“Together we helped ensure that those 92 children will have something to open on Christmas morning,” said Jeff Speedy, the UNB REDS’ Director of Athletics. “We’re very pleased with the level of engagement from our REDS student-athletes and staff. I’m not surprised though, as we have so many great people in our REDS family.”
For more than three decades, the Angel Tree program has provided gifts for children in need, based on personalized requests.
This year, almost 1800 children have been enrolled from about 750 families. Administrators of the program anticipate needing about 4000 gifts.
“Our team was immediately on board with helping this cause,” said Shamus Cormier, a veteran member of the REDS’ men’s volleyball team. “We’ve always adopted a family previously, before this cause, and were happy we still had some kind of initiative still going.”
“For me personally, Christmas has always been a joyful time of the year,” added Cormier. “It's one of the most magical parts of life for children. I feel like this initiative is one of the most important we do every year, to allow those children to feel the same magic we once did.”
“Everyone was eager and excited at the opportunity to give back,” said Brooke Le Page, now in her fourth season with the REDS’ women’s swimming team. “We were all reminiscing on how special Christmas felt as a kid, and shared stories of our favourite gifts or memories growing up. Even while buying the gifts, you pick up a Barbie for a little girl and just think about how excited you would’ve felt unwrapping it on Christmas. Its eye-opening seeing how hard it is to complete the wish-list on a limited budget. To be able to help make Christmas special for some kids, and less stressful for some families in our community, was very meaningful.”
In all, 24 REDS teams, along with the REDS Athletics department, are participating.
Along with the women’s and men’s volleyball and swim teams, the women’s and men’s hockey, basketball, soccer, cross country, track & field, curling, wrestling, as well as dance, cheer, tennis, field hockey, and football teams took part.
“We settled originally on helping four kids,” said Le Page. “Then many of my teammates expressed wanting to contribute more, so between the two teams we adopted a total of 10 kids. Everyone contributed by either donating money, organizing, or shopping for the gifts.”
In the past, the REDS have taken part in other holiday season support programs
“I’ve always felt it’s important for our student-athletes to give back to this great community and realize how fortunate they are to be a RED,” said Speedy. “It’s apparent that our current student-athletes see the value in doing so, and I hope they continue to support initiatives like this when they leave UNB.”
Teams say they were more than happy to participate but couldn’t help but notice an undeniable reality.
“There was a bit of sadness, due to the sheer number of kids who are part of the Angel Tree program,” said Cormier. “However, our group felt a collective joy that we were able to make Christmas better for a few of them.”
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB REDS
PHOTO: Submitted