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Houston Aeros at DePelchin Children's Center

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By Maureen Wade

The Houston Aeros' Carson McMillan, Chad Rau, Colton Gillies, and Ryan Lannon spent the afternoon on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 with the children and families of Houston's DePelchin Children's Center.

For over 100 years, DePelchin Children's Center has remained the most comprehensive and largest provider of children's social and mental health services in the Houston community. Through 60 locations in Harris, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Ft. Bend and Waller counties, children and their families can receive assistance via 30 different programs. Annually, over 16,000 children and their families are helped in areas such as adoption, foster care, counseling services, autism services, prevention services, residential services, post-adoption services, search and reunion services and family resources.

The four Aeros players first took a tour of the DePelchin Children's Center and learned the history and programs that they offer. After the tour, they went to the indoor gym onsite where they were introduced to the children. Defenseman Ryan Lannon spoke to the children about what being successful means to him. He shared with the children that when he was growing up and throughout college, people around him did not think he was going to be a professional hockey player one day. But Ryan was determined and focused! He practiced hard and kept with it, and the rest is history. On Tuesday, December 15, Ryan Lannon played in his 300th AHL game.

Following Ryan's motivational speech, the kids were able to ask different questions ranging from what the best experiences they've had in life to inquiries about skating and traveling. Being able to travel seemed to be the best and favorite aspect of their jobs. In closing, the four Aeros players encouraged the children stay dedicated to what they love to do and they will be successful at it.

Once the serious talk was done, the fun began! Carson, Chad, Colton and Ryan gave their best effort at basketball as well as playing with hoolihoops. By this time in their visit, the Aeros players were completely worn out!

To end their afternoon at the DePelchin Children's Center, the players autographed t-shirts, handed out Under Armour bags, and tattoos. They also invited the children of DePelchin to be their guests at the Aeros game on Sunday, December 13. In addition to an exciting match-up against the Rockford Icehogs, the children got a special surprise visit from the Aerodynamics.

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