Heading into the holiday season, Meghan Duggan contributed to the spirit of good will with a remarkably kind gesture. Her visit to Tapley Memorial Hall, located inside the Danvers Historical Society at 13 Page Street, resulted in Duggan donating one of her game-used sticks to their collection of artifacts and relics.

Having grown up in Danvers, Mass, it was the opportunity for Duggan to give back to the community that set the foundation for a world-class career to come. Of note, her stick donation was one that is destined to be treasured for generations to come.

Donating one of the sticks that she used, while proudly serving as the captain of the United States national team at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games, the artifact certainly captured the hearts and minds of the young fans in attendance.

Accompanied by her mother and father (Mary and Bob), Duggan gladly signed autographs while also posing for photos with the youngsters, eager to be immortalized in an image with the historic stick. Perhaps one day, another hockey star shall emerge from Danvers, inspired by the sight of Meghan’s stick donation.

Of note, this donation capped off a memorable month of December. The month began with Duggan representing the Boston Blades while participating in the inaugural CWHL All-Star Game at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre, suiting up as a member of the Team White roster.

As a side note, Duggan also juggles the demands of competitive playing in the CWHL with the Boston Blades with her role as an assistant coach to Matt Desrosiers on the Clarkson Golden Knights’ NCAA hockey program. It is testament to Duggan’s impact as an empowered individual who continues to find inspiring ways to give back to the game of women’s hockey.

Taking into account that the Society is celebrating its 125th anniversary, it is only fitting that Duggan’s stick takes her place among such other immortal objects. Her stick occupies a place in the Society’s third grade education program. Duggan’s stick is a remarkable learning tool in the essence of determination and the courage to persevere.

Heading into the Sochi Winter Games, Duggan brought a lot of attention to herself, as she opened up about an emotionally wrenching time. Battling from a year-long recovery due to a concussion, Duggan’s ability to rise to the occasion and earn a roster on the US team embodied her humble yet confident quality, factors which certainly helped bring American women’s hockey a pumped-up interest.

While Duggan has also faced recovery from surgery to her wrist, her ability to excel in the face of such adversity makes her a remarkable representative for the sporting community of Danvers to look up to. Gracing the ice with a heart of gold, Duggan is poised to continue making a positive impact in 2015, with her inspiration serving as the ultimate gift for fans to treasure.