For the past 20 plus years Rob Ray has been shopping for more than just his family and friends at the holiday time.  When Rob was an active player with the Buffalo Sabres in the mid 90's he decided along with teammate Charlie Huddy to use their popularity to help the community at the holiday time. Now retired and president of the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association, Rob has turned over the giving event to the Sabres Alumni and its members. In 2000 Rob decided to enlist the help of the alumni in order to help more families in need during the holidays.

Each year, Rob and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni help 40 families throughout the city of Buffalo to have a better holiday.  The process starts with the Buffalo Police and Buffalo's Community Action organization recognizing 40 families throughout the year that are in need of support.  Once the families are identified then Target takes over and helps Santa to choose the perfect gift for the children.  After all of the presents are wrapped by Target and Santa's elves, companies such as General Mills, Acosta Sales and Marketing, Lackawanna Products Corp., Tripi Foods, JA Gold Associates, ESM/Ferolie,  Kelloggs/Keebler, Grant Sales and Marketing, Crossmark, and M/E Engineering, P.C. help with the food donation part.

After everything is collected, the Buffalo Sabres Alumni, Buffalo Police and local youth sports players deliver the packages to the families on the morning of December 24th.

We would like to thank all of those mentioned above for their help in making this another successful helping holiday.

Happy New Year

Pictures Here