It’s getting down to the wire, and the North Bay Santa Fund still has a long way to go to reach its target.
It has raised just over $40,000 of its $145,000 goal.
The money is needed to assist 675 families, which includes over 15-hundred children.
“We buy groceries to fill baskets and buy toys for each and every child. In order for this to happen, we need some more help on the fundraising side,” said Lachlan McLachlan co-chair of the North Bay Santa Fund.
“In all the years that I’ve been involved since 1989 as chair and co-chair, we have always managed to hit our goal. This year I’m a little bit nervous, but I think I do have the faith that North Bay, as generous as it always is, will bring us to our goal.”
McLachlan says the demand for assistance remains fairly consistent year to year.
“We see different people. We see some people actually moving off and getting jobs and getting back on their feet and others who are coming on who are new. So it seems to stay around the same total every year. So we’re definitely needing that goal of $145,000. ”
“You must have a child to apply for the Santa Fund. The Salvation Army, on the other hand, takes care of singles and couples who are in need. And if you still want to apply to the Santa Fund, or know someone who should be applying, you can get in touch with the L.I.P.I .office on Main Street East downtown, or you can phone the Santa Fund office at 705-492-0731 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.”
Next week is an important week for donations.
“The schools are really getting active right now, and we’re hoping they will come forward next week, as well as businesses. We really appreciate all their support, and individual donations. People donate $10, $20,. Children come in and make donations. Those are also important.”
McLachlan says a popular fundraiser is the Carmine Ricciuti Christmas special at Twiggs on Fraser Street.
“That’s next Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. It is a lovely festive party. They do such a great job hosting that, and they’ve done it for 26 years.”
Packing of the baskets will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday December 22nd .
“We pack the baskets with food including a turkey and all the trimmings for a great Christmas dinner, and then a whole host of staples that can go in their cupboard for several days,” said McLachlan.
“So the packing is done at Troy Armoury across from Chippewa Secondary School. We will load those baskets up. It is a wonderful experience. Bring your children. Families are very welcome, and they can see exactly what kind of cheer they’re going to bring to a family that may not have the same Christmas as you have.”
Those same baskets are then delivered by volunteers the following day, starting Sunday morning at 10 a.m.
“We don’t sign up volunteers because it is too hectic to do that. People just show up, and we’ve never been short of volunteers. We are just so blessed. And this community has always come through for us, and I’m expecting them to come through for us again.“
McLachlan explains how people can donate.
“To do that, must go to the North Bay Nugget from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. There are volunteers there and they’ll give you a tax receipt. You can also go on line at www.santafund.ca to make a donation and immediately get your tax receipt.”
