One local business is going above and beyond to help out the outstanding network of billet families associated with the Steinbach Pistons.
Earl’s Meat Market is donating 2 pounds of meat to the billets for every goal the Pistons score this season. At a recent home game, they dropped off some donations of meat on the ice as the Pistons recognized three billet families; Bruce Dueck and Melissa Walsh, John and Ang Gula, and Russ and Lorna Sobering.
“It’s more than hockey,” owner Earl Funk said. “It’s the positive role models that the billet families are trying to be with the players that come into our community. For me it’s win-win, and that why I support the billet families.”
Dueck and Walsh are in their third year of billeting, and currently host Brendan Martin in their home. The Gulas are in their 2nd year as Pistons billets. Along with their son Darby, they are also hosts to Will Koop as well. The Soberings are in their first year of billeting, and they are hosting Tristan Culleton.
Son Evan Funk noted that these billets help the players to get involved the community. “Whether on the ice or off the ice, (getting involved) is good character development and that is something that we can get behind.”
Every billet family will be recognized on the ice during the rest of the season.