Skate with Santa is the first Santas Anonymous event to kick off the 2015 campaign season.
The fun family skate, complete with Christmas music, candy canes and Jasper the Bear, will take place at the Jasper Arena on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. There will also be tree decorations and advent calendars. Family admission is $7.
Santas Anonymous organizes events throughout the holiday season to raise funds to aid more than 50 Jasper families. For more than 20 years, the organization has provided families with gifts and food hampers before Christmas.
As well as the skate, Santas Anonymous will have Christmas raffle tickets on sale at Buffalo Betty’s Gifts, Three Sheets and Tekarra Color Lab in early November, and they will also be available at the Christmas Craft Fair on Sunday, Nov. 15. The first prize, valued at $1,500, is a deluxe weekend for two at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald in Edmonton, including transportation provided by
VIA Rail Canada. Second prize is a framed print from Buffalo Betty’s Gifts and third prize is a wash and fold service from Three Sheets. Tickets are $5 each.
Santas Anonymous' big news this year is it's adding a turkey and hamper round-up.
You can still give a turkey for $20, but now you can also opt to feed a family for $50 with a complete Christmas hamper. The Grocery People—formerly Super A Foods—is once again partnering with Santas Anonymous for the turkeys and hampers.
You can also donate to the Santas Anonymous charity at the grocery store as part of its Community Loyalty Program.
Back again this year is the Warm Winter Woolly from Santa. Santas Anonymous is pledging for the second year to give a hat, toque, scarf, gloves or mittens to each member of the family, along with the hamper and gifts.
Santas Anonymous successfully gave a WWW item to each member of Santa’s families last year. Just $10 pays for a hat, toque, scarf, gloves or mittens. Ransom Clothing Store at 609 Patricia St. will act as a donation centre for this campaign, as well as for any cash, cheques or gift cards.
You can bring cash or donate your own woolly item.
Unsure what to give? Gift cards are always a good choice—Santa buys from The Grocery People (Super A Foods), Pharmasave, Ransom Clothing and Tim Horton’s, as well as other local retailers.
The ever-popular Santa Train event date is yet to be announced but will most likely be in early December. Look for the Santa Train ad and posters and check our Facebook Page (Santas Anonymous Jasper AB) in the next month for details.
Decorate with Santa will return again this year, as well, during the Festival of Trees event at the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives.
Children can help Santa decorate his own tree plus receive a free gift. It's a great photo opportunity for parents, too. Again, watch for details as to date and times.
Gift collection boxes will again be available at numerous stores and locations around town in time for Moonlight Madness on Nov. 20. Check the Facebook page for locations. Patrons are encouraged to “Shop and Drop” in the box provided. There is always a need for children’s outdoor winter clothing and accessories, learning toys as well as crafts and games for all ages.
Family sponsorship is another way to show support. Family sponsors can be individuals, extended families, social clubs, church groups, board members, businesses and company employees. The goal of family sponsorship is to take care of the basic needs of one family who has applied to Santas Anonymous for help. If you feel you want to be involved in something both meaningful and lasting this Christmas, please call or email Santas Anonymous for an information package.
Individuals can, in confidence, apply for assistance from Santas Anonymous by contacting The Jasper Community Team office. Deadline for applications is Dec. 1.
Those wishing to apply, volunteer or donate can call 780-883-0334 or email [email protected].
Packing dates for hampers are Dec. 15, 16 and 17 at the McCready Centre from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ann Thomas
Special to the Fitzhugh
