Participants enjoy the Santa Claus Fund's annual Charity Auction last year at DayzOff Pub. SCF executive director Deanna Doerksen encourages families interested in contributing to the Santa Claus Fund to come out and participate in the activities planned for the coming weeks.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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The Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund is kicking off its 39th year, with all sorts of festive fun planned to raise money for local families this Holiday Season.
The Santa Claus Fund raises money each year to provide toys and meals to low-income families in the community.
Each child receives two gifts, a book, a stuffed animal and a variety of stocking stuffers. Each family also receives a board game and a gift card to purchase a Christmas meal.
“Each present, carefully chosen by a child’s parents, represents more than just a gift under the tree, but a reminder that the community cares,” said Santa Claus Fund executive director Deanna Doerksen. “This provides parents and individuals the dignity of choice and the joy of preparing something special for their loved ones.”
The fund has more than 60 volunteers and various business partners working together to put on various fundraising events to make Christmas magic for Hatters in need.
Last year, the charity served 921 local families, including 1,233 children, and distributed more than $100,000 in grocery gift cards.
The fundraising season kicks off Saturday with the Stuff The Stock Car event at Canadian Tire. The Medicine Hat Speedway will be on site collecting donations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Next week, Trilogy Mortgage will be hosting a photo-op with Buddy the Elf at Midnight Madness. From 6-8 p.m., Hatters can have their picture taken with Buddy for a minimum donation of $5 to the Santa Claus Fund.
Suffield Fire will set up shop at Walmart on Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 to collect toy and cash donations on behalf of the charity. Santa photos will be available at the Co-op Mall starting Dec. 4 for a pay-what-you-can donation or a new unwrapped toy. Lastly, the annual Santa Claus Is Coming To Town parade will march through Medicine Hat on Nov. 22.
The Santa Claus Fund’s biggest fundraiser, the annual Santa Claus Fund Charity Auction, will take place Dec. 11 at DayzOff Pub.
Doerksen says the Santa Claus Fund is also special because it is 100 per cent community funded.
“We get no government funding. It’s all from the generosity of the community.”
For families wondering if they qualify for support from the fund, Doerksen says eligibility is dictated using the low income scale of Canada provided by the government. To receive support, families submit 90 days of financial statements to the charity for review.
“The ripple effect of these moments is profound,” said Doerksen. “Children waking up smiling, parents feeling supported, and our entire community grows stronger through shared compassion.”
This year, the fund is at a new location, with a main office located in the Medicine Hat Mall between the Cineplex and the food court. There is a tree on site for donors to drop off unwrapped toys.
