The gift of giving..back!

It’s late on the night of December 22 and the cumulative work of hundreds and hundreds of volunteers over the entire year are reaching a crescendo as baskets are filled, packed, and organized for the big events. Filled with food, clothing, and toys, these baskets alone make the entire year for some people, giving them turkey when they’d normally have none, or toys when children would have none or warm clothes as the cold of winter bears down.

And then, as night takes hold, things become quiet, as these hundreds of baskets lay in wait for the big day—the next day.

Every year on the 23 of December for the Santa Fund, early in the morning, hundreds of trucks and smaller vehicles fill themselves with these generous packages for those in need in the community. These cars drive around town delivering goods to families who can’t afford them, or who have to choose between the warmth of the holidays or having a place to live.

Lana Mitchell opened her door that day to one of those packages on the 23 of December and would continue to do so for the next six or so years, feeling the warmth of the generosity of the community as they filled her needs in such a trying time.

Long ago Lana was young with a child—a single mother in North Bay. No easy task, especially during the holiday season, one we take for granted so often.

However, with the help she got, Lana knew she wanted to give back, to make a difference, to provide others in need with the same opportunity she had.

“It was such an incredible feeling the first year I could help with the Santa Fund,” she said proudly. “It was like things came around full circle now that I could give back.”

But things didn’t stop there.

It didn’t take long for her to get a call from Co-chair Scott Clark asking her to administer the annual fundraiser after the administrator at the time wanted to retire.

“I thought it was one thing to volunteer and help with the Fund, but an entirely different thing to take over the administration,” she said. “It was such a huge responsibility”

Lana said each year starting in March they start ordering toys for the coming holidays, keeping an eye on trends and making sure to make every kid in town feel special. She said just because kids are in families in need doesn’t mean they can’t have what other kids are getting for Christmas.

“I was terrified to be honest when I first took over,” Lana said, mentioning how many hundreds of volunteers help in the fundraiser each year. “There are so many people involved, and for a lot of them, volunteering is an annual tradition for people so I had to make sure to get it right each year.”

But over the years, it really opened her eyes to the generosity of the community.

“There are so many stories each year from people who volunteer with us,” Lana said. “One guy from the military was telling me how he had just gotten back from Afghanistan and got right on volunteering with us. Each year I tell myself I’m not going to cry when I listen to stories from people, but when it comes down to it, I break down at least 50 times a year, there are so many wonderful stories people have to share.”

She said even some people who are recipients of baskets show up to help pack more for others, wanting to contribute in some way.

“It really is a community effort,” Lana said. “We get the big donation here and there, but for the most part its everyday people giving $20 here and there—or their time.”

Lana said each year they’ve been shipping out for 750 families, making sure to personally go through the massive pool of items to meet the needs of each family. This tradition has been going on for over 70 years and doesn’t seem to be slowing yet.