Santa’s elves have left their post at the North Pole to lend a hand at Bonnyville Centralized High School (BCHS).
This will be BCHS’ 48th year bringing Christmas cheer to local families in need.
“It’s time for our annual Santa’s Elves Workshop program. We’re starting up and trying to get all of our donations in, get everything organized, families are bringing in numbers, and everyone’s getting into the swing of things,” Grade 12 BCHS student and program organizer Kendra Moore said.
The way it works is local families in need of a little help this holiday sign-up with the Knights of Columbus. They take the number of children in the household, their age, and what they need, and provide that information to BCHS.
Kendra Moore, Grade 12 student, stands beside one of the big red donation boxes residents will see throughout the community.
Moore stressed that no personal details, such as names, addresses, or phone numbers, are shared with the school.
Throughout the next few weeks, visitors at Lakeland Variety, the Bonnyville Baptist Church, the Red Apple, and Pharmasave will see big red boxes. These are the donation drop-off locations for BCHS.
Residents can donate new, still in the package items such as toys, books, or clothing for the cause, which is then transported back to the school to be sorted into the proper age and gender.
“The area we’re usually lacking is the teenager section, the 14, 15, 16, and 17-year-old boy category. The need is definitely there,” detailed BCHS principal Corey Baker. “Things like deodorant, it’s something so simple and that would be a welcome gift. Sweaters and clothes, teenager stuff like iTunes gift cards, those types of things.”
Moore chimed in, “Even different things like shaving kits are an awesome gift for the guys, or any kind of comfort items like blankets and books.”
She added, “So far, things seem to be going pretty well. Our workshop is getting pretty full. Some of it is extra from last year, a lot of it is coming in from this year.”
Also accepting donations is Ducharme Motors. According to Moore, the local business will match the amount of toys and other items brought into their location.
“If they fill a truck box (with donations) they will send us another truck box.”
Last year, the community brought joy to 388 families through the program.
“It’s such a cause that’s so close to home for so many of us. You may not realize, but your next door neighbour, your coworker, anyone can be affected by this. It went out to nearly 500 kids within the Bonnyville area,” Moore said.
Once all of the toys are collected, sorted, and bagged, volunteers will meet at the Bonnyville Centennial Centre field house for the Wrapping Party on Dec. 11.
From 3:45 p.m. until the last gift is wrapped, members of the community will be humming along to Christmas tunes and getting into the holiday spirit, all while doing something good for local families.
“It will be the same as always, we will have Christmas tunes, everything ready to go, just come and have a blast,” expressed Moore.
Baker added, “If you aren’t in the Christmas spirit (by then), darn it you will be that night.”
The Knights of Columbus take on the role of Santa Claus. They will come by once the wrapping is finished to collect the gifts and make the big delivery to all of the families who applied for the program.
Seeing his students come together for the greater good warms Baker’s heart every year.
“It’s probably one of the proudest days as a principal. Lots of kids were nervous that we wouldn’t be able to do Santa’s Elves (this year), because we changed locations, but I think when you look around this place, they’ve turned it into a pretty neat little workshop and kids are already asking about the Wrapping Party,” he told the Nouvelle.
Moore said, “It’s just such an awesome program. As a student, it’s one of my favourite things that we’ve done throughout BCHS and it’s probably one of my favourite parts about being at BCHS, is getting to do things like this, help out our community, and getting to give back.”
The Knights of Columbus are still accepting families who are interested in receiving donations this year. For more information visit the organization, or stop by the Bonnyville Friendship Centre.
