Hatters gather Thursday night at DayzOff Pub for the 33rd annual Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund Charity Auction. With final numbers still being tallied, officials with the local charity said more than $40,000 was raised.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
A full house of Hatters reached deep into their wallets Thursday night at DayzOff Pub during the 33rd annual Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund Charity Auction.
Numbers were still being counted throughout the day Friday, however SCF executive director Deanna Doerksen says more than $40,000 was raised for the charity through live and silent auctions as well as a 50/50 draw and raffle.
Doerksen says the evening of fun and giving has become a popular Christmas tradition within the community.
“We are so grateful for the community support that we receive,” says Doerksen. “The people that come out and attend, the people that donate items for us and the just love that we receive in our community to ensure we’re able to provide the magic for the families.”
The yearly auction is supported by more than 40 local businesses and community groups, and included a variety of items that piqued buyers’ interests, including a liquor-filled Santa’s sleigh donated by the local biking community, which sold for more $3,400.
The top auction item, a custom wood carving by local chainsaw artist Marina Cole, sold for $3,500. All the money raised through the SCF auction goes toward the purchase of grocery gift cards that will be gifted to low-income families at Christmas.
This year the SCF is hoping to provide local families $90,000 in grocery cards as the charity’s intake has experienced an all time high this year. However, due to the national postal strike, the Santa Claus Fund is also reporting donations down significantly this year compared to this time last year.
“Our donations are down, however these events are so crucial to us being able to continue to service families in our community,” says Doerksen, who explains the charity is expecting to spend more on groceries this year than ever due to the rising cost of living.
“Not only has the cost of groceries gone up, so we’ve had to increase our grocery gift card amount, but also toys, the price of toys has increased drastically.”
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 generous donors.
Last year the SCF served more than 630 families with more than 1,000 children and was able to provide more than $81,000 in grocery gift cards. The charity will be concluding its intake Wednesday Dec. 18.
Donations can be made in person by visiting the Santa Claus Fund, located at 3257 Dunmore Rd., or online by visiting mhsantafund.ca.
