They packed it up and now they are moving out

Lana Mitchell of LIPI shares a laugh with Mayor Al McDonald while packing up baskets for the Santa Fund Tuesday night.

Like clockwork hundreds of dedicated volunteer elves along with the men and women of the Troy Armoury again this year turned out (all smiles) and kicked into overdrive to pack up the 750 baskets for the North Bay Santa Fund.

For 63 years the Santa Fund has raised funds to ensure that there are no families without food and no children without toys during the holiday season.

Rick Pineo, who comes out every year to pack baskets, says the fund does so much more than just providing a holiday for families he says it sparks the Christmas spirit in the city and brings the community together.

“Because there’s a need for it, this is important, and it’s great to be able to come out and help put this together for the families that need help at Christmas,” he explains of his continued dedication. Pineo also says coming out to pack baskets just gets better every year.

“You see the same people every year, year after year you are coming out it’s like a social event, it’s wonderful.”

Nadia Trudel agrees with Pineo she says her grandmother runs the Food Bank in Callander and that helping out is just the right thing to do.

“I love the feeling of helping out the community I think it’s important to give back.”

“It’s a great feeling, an accomplishment of everyone coming together,” she says of the whole packing process.

“I’m so grateful for what I have and my family and so this is important to me just as much.”

Sporting a hat that says 'I believe in Santa' Lachlan McLachlan, co-chairman of the Santa Fund was all smiles noting the community effort has again restored his faith.



Hundreds of volunteers hit the streets this morning delivering the baskets to the families.

Donations to the fund are still being accepted and donations can be made to the Santa Fund c/o The Nugget, 259 Worthington St. W. P.O. Box 570, North Bay, ON P1B 8J6.