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For kids who might not have very much themselves, school Santa Stores are a chance for them to get in on the giving spirit of Christmas.
Albert School is one of 14 elementary schools around Regina taking donations of gently used toys, decorations and household items for their Santa Stores.
“Our kids typically don’t get out to a lot of stores and do a lot of shopping for their families, nor do they necessarily have the financial means in order to do so,” Albert School Principal Blair Litzenberger said.
He said kids spend weeks making their own shopping lists for siblings, parents, grandparents or caregivers, then they bring whatever they can to pay for the presents. For kids who have no money at all, the school will provide rolls of quarters so they can still feel like they are paying.
“I think often kids will feel a little more sense of pride in that they bought this present as opposed to just taking it off a shelf,” Litzenberger said about the intent of collecting money for donated items.
He said often it seems like the world is more concerned with getting gifts at Christmas, but this is a chance to get kids to think beyond themselves.
“The generosity that they demonstrate during that time is absolutely rewarding,” Litzenberger said.
The principal explained any extra cash collected through the Santa Store will go back into general funds for the school to buy small supplies. Typically he said it would only work out to be about $50 or so.
Many Regina Elementary Schools are seeking donations for their Santa Stores 🎅🏽 🎄@RegPublicSchool @RCSD_No81 @CTVReginaLive @ctvregina @Z99regina @620ckrm @GlobalRegina @CJMENews @CreesonCTV @leaderpost pic.twitter.com/81mbXRebMm
— Shana Cardinal (@shanzbiz) December 5, 2018
The schools accept gently used toys, games, decorations, frames or small household items. They are not taking donations of candles, clothes or plush toys for safety, sanitary and storage reasons. Donation deadlines and dates vary by school, and they encourage people to contact the front office to arrange drop-offs for donations due to issues with storage space.
Albert School is running the Santa Store on Dec. 17 and 18 this year, but other schools are holding theirs at various dates throughout the next few weeks.
Some of the things collecting dust in closets around the city could become a Christmas gift for kids to give their loved ones.