Danielle Semrau-McLean, stakeholder relations adviser for Methanex, and Jody Magill, manager of stakeholder relations for Methanex, present Deanna Doerksen, executive director of the Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund, with a donation for $5,000. The donation will be applied through Scotiabank's donation matching program, thanks to the help and involvement of Nicole Pituley, Scotiabank branch manager.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
lthomson@medicinehatnews.com
The Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund continues to collect donations that will help local families’ wishes come true this Christmas.
Jody Magill, manager of stakeholder relations for Methanex and Danielle Semrau-McLean, stakeholder relations adviser for Methanex, were on location at the Santa Claus Fund holiday home last Friday to present Deanna Doerksen, executive director of SCF, with a cheque for $5,000.
Nicole Pituley, branch manager at Scotiabank, was also in attendance, as the amount will be donated through Scotiabank’s donation matching program, an arrangement that allows them to match up to $15,000 donated to a local charity.
“We’ve been a big supporter of the Santa Claus Fund for a number of years, both through donations but also through volunteerism,” said Magill. “Obviously the need of the community that’s being met by the Santa Claus Fund is really important at this time of year. The opportunity to give a donation and know that it will be matched by Scotiabank is tremendous because it doubles the value and the benefit that the community is going to receive.”
She says Methanex strives to help its communities.
“Through Methanex, we have a component in which we give back to the community through our social responsibility,” Magill said. “One of the elements we look at is addressing issues of poverty in the community and meeting the needs that the community has.”
Doerksen spoke about the tremendous need, especially during the pandemic.
“Last year we had nearly 700 families and 1,441 children. As of today we have 438 families booked … certainly the need is looking like it’s substantial this year,” said Doerksen.
Doerksen expressed gratitude for Methanex’s support, saying the company has been a leader in the community and brings love and spirit in its involvement with the Fund.
Pituley added, “Methanex is giving back to the community that we live in and I think that’s so important. It’s nice to know that the families of Medicine Hat are being helped with these donations.”
Methanex, along with the Chamber of Commerce, also hosted a petting zoo last weekend during Midnight Madness downtown. Entrance was by donation in support of the Santa Claus Fund.
“We’re so appreciative of the support,” said Doerksen.
A reminder to Hatter’s that donations made at Scotiabank locations and at the Santa Claus Fund holiday home at 3084 Dunmore Rd., will be matched by Scotiabank.
You can schedule an appointment to find out if you qualify for the Santa Claus Fund by visiting http://www.mhsantafund.com and clicking on the ‘Book an Appointment’ icon.
