Santa Claus Fund helps more than 900 kids have Christmas

By Peggy Revell on December 19, 2017.

prevell@medicinehatnews.com @MHNprevell

The final numbers are in, and the Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund helped bring holiday cheer to 498 families and 918 kids in need this Christmas season.

“We’ve seen nearly a 25 per cent increase over last year,” said SCF executive director Deanna Doerkson, as the program wraps up for another season.

The main reason for the increase is directly attributed to the current economic situation, she said, yet despite the increase, the SCF was able to help all the families because of the generosity of donors and the community,

In talking with other organizations that do hamper programs, Doerkson said some have seen the same numbers while others have also experienced increases.

With Christmas just a few days away, Doerkson wanted to extend a thank-you to the “countless volunteers” who have dedicated their time to making sure Christmas happens for all families.

An estimated 979 hours were put in by these volunteers, she said.

“And the work of the SCF does not end just at Christmas,” she said. “We provide an Easter dinner to families in need, we also provide assistance throughout the year through other service agencies, such as the ministerial association.”

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