Santa came a bit early this year for the children at Winnipeg’s David Livingstone School.
Fundraising at the MHCA – which put out a special “Heavy Santa” appeal this year due to the shutdown of its annual events – raised $2,900, which was used to put together gifts and treat bags for the pupils in Grade 1-4.
On Friday, December 17, each pupil received a game as a present, and also treat bags filled with gloves, candy and fidget spinners and poppits.
“We have a lot of fun, as a team at MHCA, putting together the Heavy Santa treat bags,” said Jocelyn Martens, MHCA’s Office Administration Coordinator. “And we get a lot of joy when we drop these gifts and treats off at the school. I know they look forward to it every holiday season.”
Martens coordinates the purchasing, wrapping and delivery of the gifts. Typically, Heavy Santa makes a special appearance in the school gymnasium, where a pizza lunch is served. Since the pandemic’s shutdown, however, MHCA has dropped the gifts at the school door.
Further, because the fundraising events have also been halted, Martens organized a special appeal among MHCA member companies to ensure the children’s gift bags were filled.
“We want to send a special thank you to all those who contributed so generously and helped ensure the pupils enjoyed their special lunch again this year,” she added.
The pupils got busy writing thank you cards to MHCA, as they sat down for their lunch.