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Marine Surprises Family For The Holidays With The Help Of The Blackhawks

When it comes to spreading holiday cheer Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks know how to do it right. Toews and Kane were the main forces behind bringing one Marine serving overseas home for the holidays and surprising his entire family in the process.

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It all began when Toews and Kane approached the Hawks with the idea of bringing a soldier home for the holidays. The Hawks then approached the Illinois USO, who held an essay writing contest, which was won by  U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. George Handley, who is stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He found out Sunday, his 20th birthday, that he had won the contest and the surprise trip home.

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The Hawks then contacted Handley's family and invited them to an all-access tour of the practice facility on Tuesday, telling the Aurora family they were invited because their family member couldn't be home for the holidays. Unknown to the family, Handley was already at the practice faciltity when they arrived.

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It wasa great present for Handley and his family. Handley is on leave through the New Year. The kicker? He plays fantasy hockey, but has no Blackhawks players on his team. Think that will change now? We do.

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