By Jasmine Franklin
Business contributions and more than 300 spectators helped make this year’s Santa Showdown one for the books, bringing in $2,696 for Santa’s Anonymous.
“The business community really stepped up this year,” said Ron Labrie, a teacher at Ponoka Composite High School. “We’re really thankful.”
With an $800 contribution from businesses alone, the fun-filled hockey game Dec.9 with PCHS teachers versus students will provide support to less fortunate families.
“It’s become something everyone looks forward too,” Labrie said. “The kids can’t wait to do it.”
Teachers won the hockey game 20-18, said Karen David, PCHS teacher and leader of the Santa’s Anonymous school project.
All of the money raised goes toward buying food and gifts that will be packaged by students in a food and or gift hamper delivered Dec.16 to the front steps of those in need.
Students gathered on Dec. 11 in the wrestling room of the high school was littered in piles of food, boxes and toys for children of all ages. With smiles on their faces and focus on the task at hand, food was piled into boxes.
The students build the food hampers with the required items such as rice, sugar, pasta sauce, coffee, snack bars, etc. The hampers also contain either a ham or a turkey.
Gift hampers are also in the process. Students are handed envelopes with descriptions of the family to decide what gifts would be suitable.
Since all information is confidential, students receive cards detailing only the age and gender of the child, and based on that information, the toys are selected.
“I think it’s important we do this because we had toys like this when we were younger,” said student Kendra Satcher. “It’s not fair that other children may not get to have these.”
David said about 55 families are signed up for gift and food hampers and about 60 people with no children are signed up.