Submitted
Ponoka Composite High School (PCHS) is once again gearing up for this year’s Santa’s Anonymous program. This is the 31th anniversary of the high school’s sponsorship of this worthwhile community project.
Started in 1981 to provide gifts to children in need, it has grown to provide gifts, a food hamper and a turkey to those in need at Christmas. Community support has also grown with donations and sponsorships coming in each year. Even with this support, students still organize a number of activities leading up to Christmas.
Collection boxes will be placed in many stores, churches and schools from Nov. 9 to Dec. 12 to help in the gathering of food and gifts. The most needed gifts are for teens 13 to 18 years of age. Monetary donations will also be accepted at the school. Any help is most appreciated.
In addition, we are organizing a Stuff-a-Bus event at the two grocery stores in town during their discount days. We will be at Extra Foods Dec. 3 and 4, and at IGA on Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We hope the community will buy a “little extra” and drop it off on their way out. We need about 10 to 20 parent volunteers to man the bus during the day until school is out. Volunteers would work two-hour shifts during the day. If you would like to help us out, please contact the school at 783-4411 and give your name to Barb Bonnett.
During the week of Dec. 4 to 11 we will be having a class competition at school to collect food. The class that collects the most food per person will receive a pizza party.
Another event is the annual Santa Showdown Hockey Game where staff and students square off at the arena complex for a fun-filled game. A $2 admission fee, 50/50 tickets and canned food donations all help to raise money for this worthy cause. Game night is Tuesday, Dec. 11 starting at 7:30 p.m. A big thank you goes out to Ron Labrie for spearheading this event each year.
Food and gift hampers will be put together Dec. 17 and 18 with classes coming in to help sort food, gifts and fill hampers. Hampers will be finalized on Dec. 18 and delivery is scheduled for after school Dec. 19.
If you are in need or you know of any families in Ponoka who might be in need this Christmas season, please contact the office at 783-4411 and speak with Mrs. Bonnett. This year we are relying on contacts made to the school. Please contact the school no later than Dec. 14.
If you have any questions regarding our 2012 Santa’s Anonymous Campaign, please contact Karen David at 783-4411 extension 5132.
Please consider donating to Santa’s Anonymous this Christmas.