Santa’s Elves are giving the gift of Christmas.
For the past 47 years, the community has pulled together to bring Christmas to families in need.
Since 1971, the Santa’s Elves program has brought joy to the holiday season to Bonnyville families who may not experience it otherwise.
Kendra Moore is a Grade 11 Bonnyville Centralized High School (BCHS) student. She has been volunteering with Santa’s Elves since she was young, and has now stepped up her role in the program.
“I’ve been volunteering since Grade 5 or 6. I would come to the wrapping party (when I was younger). In Grade 9 and 10, I came to the school and I was helping more behind the scenes, doing pretty well anything I could get my hands on and they would allow me to do,” she expressed.
What she loves most, is the cause.
Through the Santa’s Elves program, toys are donated, collected, wrapped, and delivered to families throughout town who need a little help at Christmastime.
For Moore, it means one less child that has to go without presents under their tree.
“I’ve seen families who have never really had (that opportunity) and I don’t think it’s fair. I was raised to share. I think it’s important that other families get a chance to have a good Christmas experience,” stated Moore.
Businesses and schools throughout town have set-up big red boxes to collect donations.
According to Moore, all toys must be new, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they have to be big.
Big red boxes like the one in this photo are scattered throughout town.
She said they will accept donations of any size for kids ranged from newborn to 17-years-old.
“The older kids can be hard to buy for. It may not be toys, but it can be a really good book… or hygiene products, because that might not always be accessible,” explained Moore. “Something small can still do something for them, it can still impact them and allow them to have that same gift experience.”
The hardest age category to fill is the 12 to 17-years-old, Moore explained.
“We really stress that we want more stuff for them, because they don’t get thought of as much.”
Books, movies, puzzles, and even board games are some of the ideas she suggested.
“We love giving out those because we promote all of those things,” she added.
Last year, Santa’s Elves delivered toys to 557 kids.
“It’s really about giving back to your community. This isn’t an organization where you go out and you don’t see the results. You can see that there are people in need in your neighbourhood… It’s closer to home than what you would think it is, so it’s helping your community so much more. It’s such a great cause. It’s for a kid, how can you not want them to have the same opportunities?” said Moore.
The big red boxes will be scattered throughout the community until Dec. 5, when Santa’s Elves will collect the toys in preparation for the big wrapping party on Dec. 12.
Starting at around 3:30 p.m., volunteers are invited to BCHS to help wrap the donated toys.
Prior to the wrapping party, local families in need will register to receive donations. They detail how many children are in their household, along with their age and gender. Gifts selected by Santa’s Elves will be placed in a plastic bag, which is handed out for wrapping during the event.
The identities are withheld from the volunteer wrappers.
“We accept anyone who wants to wrap. We want all of the volunteers we can get, because the faster we can get it done the faster we can get the toys out,” Moore expressed. “It’s a great energy when we’re wrapping. Everyone is smiling and laughing, there’s Christmas music, people are singing along, it’s really a cool environment to be a part of.”
The event usually “wraps up” around 8 p.m.
When asked why she feels the program has carried on over the years, Moore said it’s simply because it’s a good cause.
“It’s great to have it coming back every year, because maybe this year a family needs it, but maybe next year they won’t and they will try to donate and help someone else in need.”
In order to register to receive donations, contact the Friendship Centre or Alberta Works. Anyone interested in donating can drop a gift in one of the big red boxes found throughout town, or at Ducharme Motors.
