Hershey Bears lend a hand at Cocoa Packs

On Thursday afternoon, six of the Hershey Bears players along with Vice President of Hockey Operations Bryan Helmer visited Cocoa Packs in conjunction with Derry Township School District.

Cocoa Packs is a non-profit organization that has been running for four years now. The organization ensures kids in the Derry Township School District and surrounding areas are food secure every day of the week, weekends, and over holiday breaks. Cocoa Packs serves about 500 children every week.

Bears players Liam O’Brien, Garrett Pilon, Kale Kessy, Matt Moulson, Kody Clark, and Erik Burgdoerfer all helped volunteer at the facility. To the team, it’s important to get out into the community to help out. “We look forward doing stuff like this,” said Helmer. “The community is our fanbase, and when we can give back, especially with things like this, it’s very important to [get out here].”

“I think we have a responsibility to the community, to come out a do little stuff like this,” O’Brien responded.

Not only are the Bears helping out, but they are also learning a lot about the community and themselves. “It puts things in perspective,” O’Brien said. “Especially doing a thing like this. You realize how much of an influence you have on others, I think that’s the biggest thing.”

“I think you learn a lot, you become selfless, you [learn] what others need, and you get to help them,” Garrett Pilon added.