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Families lined up to see Santa while
supporting a worthy cause at the Medicine Hat Mall Mountain of Toys
fundraiser this past weekend.
Ken Gousseau
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Families lined up to see Santa while
supporting a worthy cause at the Medicine Hat Mall Mountain of Toys
fundraiser this past weekend.
A strong turnout marked the first day of
the month-long event Saturday, with scores of visitors dropping off
unwrapped toys and cash donations in support of the Medicine Hat
News Santa Claus Fund.
"There's been a great steady line up and
the toy bin is filling up," said Medicine Hat Mall marketing
director Seana Almer, who was confident that the community would
keep the momentum going right up to the mall fundraiser's wrap-up
day on Dec. 22. "Medicine Hat is a very generous community and I
know they will help us out."
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived at the mall
in style Saturday on a Harley Davidson motorcycle with a side car,
electrifying the crowd of kids eagerly awaiting their turn to sit
on the lap of St. Nick.
Medicine Hat resident Michel Farmer
brought his children, Pascale and Nolé to the mall Saturday
afternoon to see Santa.
"We heard it was Santa's first day in the
mall and the kids were excited to see him," he said, adding the
event provides a great opportunity to help those less fortunate in
the community. "This time of year is always hard on those people so
we've got to help them out however we can."
Santa Claus Fund co-ordinator Darlene Ford
said many visitors thought incorporating a fundraiser into Santa's
mall appearances was a great idea.
"People think it's such a wonderful
gesture," she said. "They're not only bringing their kids to see
Santa, but they're giving back to the community."
Toys for children two years old and under,
and items suitable for pre-teens and teenagers are particularly
needed during the Mountain of Toys fundraising campaign.
On Thursday, the Medicine Hat Racing
Association and All Nations Optimist Club are hosting Midnight
Madness at the downtown Royal Bank branch from 6 p.m. to midnight.
The organizations will be collecting toys for the Santa Claus Fund
and food for the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank at the event,
which will include car displays, refreshments and more. |
