A number of Christmas trees that were going to be auctioned off during the Santa Claus Fund's second annual Spirit of Giving Gala were knocked over at the Medicine Hat Lodge in the early hours of Thursday.--NEWS PHOTO JEREMY APPEL
Medicine Hat News
Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a Scrooge who vandalized four of the 10 donated Christmas trees on display at the Medicine Hat Lodge for the Santa Claus Fund.
According to the Medicine Hat Police Service, an unknown male entered the hotel lobby from the casino around 2:55 a.m. Thursday, knocking over the four trees, two of which were damaged beyond repair.
Deanna Doerksen of the SCF says the trees were on display to promote the upcoming Spirit of Giving Gala at the Lodge.
The trees are donated by local companies to auction off at the gala.
Doerksen said it’s particularly upsetting that someone would vandalize objects that go toward a Christmas-based charity for children.
“It’s just devastating, because these trees are donated in support of an organization that provides Christmas to hundreds of local children,” she said, adding that last year the SCF served 425 families, which included 900 children.
“We will be able to have our corporate groups back in this evening to re-decorate (the damaged trees) and put them back together.
“The gala will go on as planned.”
Those with further information are asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481.
