Page 13 - 2020 YMM Holiday Guide

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SantaClaus

I S S T IL L C OM IN G T O T O W N !

Father Mercredi students develop new 2020 fundraising strategies

By Tanisha Kadia, YMM Contributor

ot even 2020 can stop the Santas Anonymous is a registered charity Santas Anonymous Staff Coordinator Jen-
students of Father Mercredi program led and run by the students and staff nifer Pope has been involved with the program
Community High School from of Father Mercredi Community High School. The since she started teaching at the high school
putting on their red hats to school’s volunteers provide Christmas hampers 13 years ago. She said the students’ spirits
Ndeliver their 36-year-old Santas to families in need that have school-aged chil- are always bright, and every year, they are
Anonymous program. dren throughout the Wood Buffalo region. determined to help others in the community
With regular updates on COVID-19 protocols, For the past 36 years, the Father Mercredi celebrate.
program organizers had reinvented many of its community has been sharing the holiday spirit “Each year, I get to work with a new group
community fundraising initiatives, as Santas with less fortunate families and providing them of kids that have the biggest, most generous
Anonymous Head Student Leader Breagh Dunn with an equal opportunity to celebrate Christ- hearts. They put everything they have into
explains. mas, despite the financial situation. giving back to this community from October
“Due to COVID-19, many of our fundraisers During a conventional year, the Santas to December,” she said. “There’s honestly no
had to be cancelled, so we came up with alter- Anonymous volunteers organize fundraisers better way to get into the Christmas spirit than
native fundraising opportunities, which include like the Supermarket Spree, the Red-Green to see what the students do every single year.
sales of Purdy’s chocolates, Whoville trees, Cup, the Teddy Bear Toss with the Fort McMur- It is truly heartwarming.”
Christmas wreaths, and holiday signs. We are ray Oil Barons, the Middle School Dance, the
also working on a discount card which will Christmas Market, and the Pancake Breakfast. To donate to the program, go to
include over 25 local businesses,” Dunn said. These events help raise funds to fill the ham- fmcschools.ca/santas-anonymous and
“This year, more than ever, the community pers with gifts and Christmas dinner supplies find the Santas Anonymous Campaign
can help by donating monetary donations, pur- for in-need families. However, safety measures Fort McMurray Facebook page for
chasing items, and helping to pack or deliver put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 updates and fundraising announcements.
hampers. The challenges we are facing this restrict such fundraising op-
year due to the pandemic are substantial, but portunities.
I have full faith in my amazing community that
they will help and support Santas, so we can
continue to give to those most in need.”

Photo: Santas Anonymous
Staff Coordinator Jennifer
Pope with Father
Mercredi Community High
School Student Leaders
of the 2020 Santas
Anonymous Program.
Photo by Payden
MacDougall, Father
Mercredi Photography
Department

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