What started as a hastily-arranged experiment is becoming an annual Telemiracle fundraising tradition for the Martensville and District Kinette Club.
“Last December we took Santa Claus for a tour through all the streets of Martensville,” said Martensville Kinette Club member Bernice Symak. “We stopped at people’s houses and they were able to take pictures of their kids with Santa outside. We collected donations as we went along and raised about $3,400.”
Symak said the Santa tour was inspired by a similar event done by the Kinsmen in Moose Jaw, who found a creative way to raise money for their local food bank when the COVID-19 pandemic slammed the door shut on their regular events.
“We were driving home from Regina one night in November last year,” said Symak. “That’s when I came up with the idea of doing something similar for Telemiracle.
“As soon as we got home we started putting it together and less than a week later we pulled it off.
“It was a lot of fun and brought a lot of smiles to the faces of a lot of kids.”
Symak said the Kinette Club was formed three years ago. In 2019, the two-dozen or so members of the newly-formed club, who hail from communities across the region, raised $9,000 for Telemiracle.
Symak said the COVID-19 pandemic took some of the wind out of the sails of the club, but the Santa tour helped rekindle enthusiasm.
“It was something different and people appreciated it,” said Symak. “This year we have a lot more time to plan it out, and we’re hoping to raise more money and make it an annual event.”
Last year Santa’s ‘sleigh’ was a flat-deck trailer, and his reindeer was a diesel dually truck. That same arrangement is being used again this year, with signs advertising corporate sponsors.
But instead of touring every street in the city over two consecutive weekends like last year, the 2021 Santa tour will take place over two consecutive days, December 11 and 12, and make five stops in the north end of town and five stops in the south end.
Symak said corporate donors looking to advertise on Santa’s sign boards can call her at 306-221-1071.
Symak said the Kinettes are also hosting other fundraising events for Telemiracle, including an online bingo November 21, with cards available at the Pharmasave in Martensville and Legends Pharmacy in Warman.
In addition, the club is once again sponsoring an ‘Adopt-a-family’ program designed to help families in need over the Christmas season. The club is accepting donations and is putting together packages for families. The packages include food, toys, clothes and other necessities. Further information is available on the club’s facebook page.