It's been another successful year for Hay River's beloved Secret Santa program.
By the time the campaign concluded in the week leading up to Christmas, almost 900 gifts had been distributed to some 230 youth in over 100 families around Hay River, KSA国际影视传媒檃tlSA国际影视传媒檕deeche First Nation, and Enterprise.
"It went really well," said organizer Tracy Cross Gauthier. "No matter where you are, there are always going to be families in need, and Hay River is a very generous community when it comes to things like that."
The Secret Santa program has been operating in Hay River since the 1990s. Each year, it solicits donations from community members and local organizations, which are then used to purchase toys for children in the area, and as of the last few years, grocery gift cards for adults.
Last year was particularly special as it was the first year organizers included the community of Enterprise, which was devastated by the summer's wildfires.
"It was difficult even keeping track of some of the families," Cross Gauthier said, looking back on the 2023 campaign. "Some folks lost their homes, so even just trying to find out where they were to help in some way was difficult. But the people in Hay River stepped up, knowing there was going to be a bit more of a strain on families last year, and we were able to help a lot of people. It worked out well."
After the success of the 2023 Secret Santa campaign, Cross Gauthier decided to keep serving Enterprise this year.
Financial donations started coming in around mid-November. Things then ramped up with a toy drive on Nov. 30 in tandem with Hay River's Santa Claus Parade.
Gifts and grocery cards were distributed in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Volunteers from the local fire department handed out the gifts in Hay River's New Town area, while volunteers from the distributed gifts on the reserve. Cross Gauthier distributed the rest of the gifts and grocery cards with help from her husband, Lawrence, and a team of hard-working volunteers SA国际影视传媒� mostly "friends and family."
"It's not easy" to distribute nearly 1000 presents to over 200 children, she said, but the effort is well worthwhile, as the recipients are always "very excited."
"They are very grateful, and they actually look forward to it," she added. "A lot of people say some of these children probably wouldn't be getting anything if it wasn't for Secret Santa, for a variety of reasons. That makes you feel better, and makes you feel good about the work you're doing."
Cross Gauthier believes the Secret Santa program is very important to people in Hay River SA国际影视传媒� not just those who receive gifts, but also those doing the giving.
"It's very much appreciated by the recipients, but it also gets other individuals in spirit," she said. "This is an easy way for them to contribute, whether that's wrapping gifts on an afternoon or doing deliveries or even contributing at some of the donation locations that we have throughout town. It helps their spirit as well."
Cross Gauthier has been running Hay River's Secret Santa program since 2020, when she took the reins from former organizer Michelle Schaub. She isn't planning on stepping down from the role "any time soon," but is confident the program will continue long after she passes the torch to one of her volunteers.
"The sheer volume of gifts that we receive each year shows that this is a much needed and a well supported program," she said. "It will continue for many, many years, I'm sure."
