The annual Santa Claus Fund live auction brought in close to $50K Thursday evening at DayzOff pub, which will be used to provide families in need Holiday meals this season.--NEWS PHOTOS BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
With the best attendance in years and a strong community spirit, more than $49,000 was raised during the annual Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund Charity Auction on Thursday night at DayzOff Pub. that will be used to provide holiday meals to local families this Christmas.
A full house of Hatters reached deep into their pockets to bid on a variety of items donated by local businesses, artists, athletes and individuals – $7,000 more than at last year’s auction. Money raised will specifically go to providing holiday meals to local families in need this Christmas.
“The energy in the room was incredible,” said Deanna Doerksen, SCF executive director. “Everybody came together to show our local families that are struggling some love, and it was an extremely successful night, we’re very pleased.”
Funds raised from items sold at the auction will go toward purchasing gift cards at grocery stores which families can use to purchase their Christmas dinner.
A highlight of the evening came in the form of a $10,000 donation and cheque presentation from the Yuill Family Foundation.
For the second year in a row, a custom wood carving of an eagle by local chainsaw artist Marina Cole sold as the top auction item for $3,500. A handmade quilt also fetched a cool $700, as did the popular “Santa Sleigh,” filled each year with a variety of liqueurs and spirits.
“No item sold for less than double its worth, it was just a real community effort to raise the funds for the kids,” added Doerksen.
She says so far this year the non-profit has been able to serve more than 1,100 children who will receive toys from Santa on Christmas morning, and has already distributed more than $80,000 in gift cards.
“We’re incredibly thankful for all of the community that comes out and supports our local families that just need a little bit of a hand up over the Holiday Season,” said Doerksen. “It’s just absolutely instrumental. We get no government funding, so it’s the magic in that room that helps the Santa Claus Fund provide the magic of Christmas to families in our community.”
The Santa Claus Fund is still hoping to raise another $50,000 to meet its goal of ensuring no family in Medicine Hat goes without the spirit of the season, as well as to cover ongoing programming it offers.
The last intake and crisis assistance days are scheduled this weekend at the SCF location in the Medicine Hat Mall.
No appointments are necessary and clients will be served on a first come, first served basis. Applicants are asked to bring photo ID, health care card for family and a proof of income.
Annually the Santa Claus Fund provides thousands of families in the community toys for children and makes sure they have food over the holidays by partnering with several local businesses, sponsors and donors
Donations can be made in person by visiting the Santa Claus Fund, located at #233 3257 Dunmore Rd., at the Medicine Hat Mall, or online by visiting mhsantafund.com.
Donations can also be made at local Scotiabank locations and every dollar will be matched up to $15,000.
For more information call 403-528-9900.
