KELOWNA – Black Mountain Elementary school was buzzing with excitement Thursday afternoon as two B.C. Lions players visited the students.
Linebacker Jason Arakgi and defensive back Matt McGarva spent the afternoon spreading an important message about energy conservation.
“It’s one of many causes we are passionate about,” says Arakgi. “The real thing is we have a unique ability that we can come into a school and we are very fortunate that they will listen to us because we are athletes.”
The football team has teamed up with Fortis B.C. to teach young British Columbians about the importance of being energy smart. Some of the topics discussed included turning off all unnecessary lights, layering up instead of cranking up the heat and taking shorter showers.
“We hope they go home and tell their parents so it starts a movement,” says McGarva.
Students were thrilled to get up close and personal with the football stars.
Some of the teachers, including Gwen Dick, were also starstruck. Sporting her Lions jersey, Dick says the energy message is bound to stick.
“Especially some of the older ones and the boys and this girl will remember their names because we like to cheer them on and it’s great to know I talked to that person in real life at my school and what they had to say was good and I will give it a try.”
The B.C. Lions travel to many schools around the province during the off-season, speaking on a variety of issues including literacy and violence against women and girls.
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