980 CJME launches the 50th edition of Santas Anonymous

As Christmas shopping season swings into full gear, so is the 50th edition of 980 CJME’s Santas Anonymous.

As of Tuesday morning, toy barrels are in stores across Regina ready to be filled with donations of new, unwrapped toys.

Donations for toddlers and pre-teens from ages nine to 12 are always in the shortest supply.

Thanks to the generosity of others, over the last 50 years, more than 50,000 toys have been gifted to tens of thousands of Regina children in need.

“I just couldn’t afford Christmas on my own,” said one woman who used to participate in the program. “One year we came and we got Santas Anonymous and our Christmas hamper. It was a huge relief to me to be able to provide (her children) with something.”

The woman said Santas Anonymous “gave me drive.” She went on to finish school, attend university, get a job and provide her kids with Christmas without having to participate in the program again.

“It was like a godsend for me,” she said of Santas Anonymous. “It took some of the pressure off. It was kind of hard on my pride, but it was really like a stress reliever. It just makes me a little more grateful.

“It makes you appreciate the kind people in the world,” she added. “There are good people left.”

Students in the city regularly help with wrap day, when all of the donated gifts are wrapped in preparation for Christmas. This year, wrap day is set for Dec. 14.

“It’s a joyful feeling, sorting (gifts) for people who don’t have as much as we do,” student Kaylee Lavallee said during the 2018 event. “It’s a great experience. I love it.”

On The Greg Morgan Morning Show, Regina Mayor Michael Fougere thanked 980 CJME, the Salvation Army and the Regina and District Food Bank for their roles in the Santas Anonymous program.

“Fifty years of helping kids through Christmastime, I think, is incredible,” Fougere said. “Hats off to you and of course to the Salvation Army for the work you do. It makes people’s lives change throughout the Christmas season.”

Fougere then read on the air his statement proclaiming this as Santas Anonymous Week, paying tribute not only to those who operate the program but also those members of the public who donate.

Fougere noted he has seen that generosity from Regina citizens in every situation.

“Every time there’s a need throughout our city, people come and step up and help out no matter what it is,” he said. “This is an institution, though. Santas Anonymous Week is really important.

“What we do for kids at Christmastime is so very, very important. We all have children, we’ve all raised children (and) we know how important it is for children to have that present on Christmas Day and open that up. It’s so very, very important. What you’re doing is helping families celebrate the most important time of the year.”