Some big changes for the Santa Fund this year because of COVID-19.

It’s the 73rd annual event and applications are being accepted from families in need until December 4th.

Co-chair Scott Clark says the first change this year involves the application process.

“We’ve moved to an online application that you can go to santafund.ca and get more information and find the link there. You can also find out through the LIPI website, as well,” he says.

Another big change involves the packing and delivery of baskets.

“We won’t be able to open it up to the public, I know that’s a tradition for everyone, for the packing. We won’t be able to open that up just from a COVID safety standpoint. But, the military will be helping us and I’ll say some ‘special’ elves who have all had their COVID checks,” Clark says.

The packing of the baskets will be taking place at a different, yet-to-be-named, location this year too.

The Santa Fund typically provides over 600 food hampers and Christmas gifts for local families.

Clark says they’ve had more applications filed earlier this year and while they’ve planned on helping out 600 families, that could change.

“We really don’t know, this year is a very different year. But we have plan ‘A’, plan ‘B’, plan ‘C’, we will go out and buy toys, we will do whatever we have to do to fill more baskets to make it happen,” he says.

Clark says details on the traditional fundraising events are still being worked on but online donations to the Santa Fund are being accepted now at santafund.ca.

The fundraising goal this year is $140,000.

 

(Logo previously submitted)