Resident Jill Kuruc has received an early holiday gift this year: a leaf cleanup from the Newtown High School hockey players, which was paid for anonymously. 

The Newtown hockey team holds an annual fundraiser by doing yard cleanups, and “Someone anonymously donated money for them to come and clean up my yard,” Ms Kuruc said.

On Election Day, November 4, Ms Kuruc’s year-old tractor caught on fire while her son, Brian, was trying to mulch leaves at their Mountain Laurel Lane home. The tractor’s exhaust ignited the leaves.

“He was okay; Samantha was very upset,” she said. “It is completely destroyed.” She had bought the tractor to take care of her yard, “So for them to do this was so amazing of people giving back and helping in their community. It was the nicest thing,” she said.

In a recent e-mail, Ms Kuruc said, “I was so surprised by this act of kindness. I want people to know about these special kids and their dads who gave up their time to help me out.”

Ms Kuruc and her daughter Samantha were recently in the news when Samantha’s bond with a comfort dog, Spartacus, caught the attention of a Seattle, Wash., author Ranny Green, who was in town after 12/14. Mr Green won an award for an article about them and his experience in town with the comfort dogs. He then returned to Newtown this past April, to visit with the family and surprise Samantha by gifting his award to the 9-year-old.

Ms Kuruc recently received a call from the hockey coach saying they heard her story and wanted to help after the bad news with the lawn mower. The group visited the Kurucs on Sunday, November 16.

“They did my whole yard and they did it perfectly,” Ms Kuruc said. “They were just so sweet. High school boys and their dads were out, and I have no idea who anonymously paid for the cleanup, and at a time I needed it.”

Ms Kuruc gave them muffins, “And you would have thought I gave them diamonds, they were so appreciative.”

Hockey assistant coach Tucker Grose said that through network of parents, “I got an e-mail from someone, and it was a gracious, selfless act for the friend to help Jill and we were more than happy to help. It’s the least we could do.”

The yard cleanup fundraiser helps to pay for ice time, which is pricey at Danbury Ice Arena. The team’s first game is December 17 at 7:50 pm, in Danbury against New Milford.

Look for more information at newtownhockey.com, or contact Tucker.grose.ce@gmail.com.