A secret Santa gave kids some late Christmas gifts, toys worth approximately $80,000 in total.
Santa, who wished to remain anonymous, said that he reached out to Stanton Territorial Hospital, and three MLAs SA国际影视传媒� Deh Cho MLA Richard Edjericon, Nunakput MLA Jackie Jacobson and Nahendeh MLA Shane Thompson SA国际影视传媒� to help fill the needs of communities in the NWT.
Santa said he was unsure if any Covid-19 related regulations persisted at the hopistal. They gladly received the toys, but asked for no teddy bears, likely because of concerns related to viral illnesses, he added.
Christmas came and went without the toys arriving in time SA国际影视传媒� Santa said that airlines containing the toys were delayed because of the weather.
Grimshaw Trucking was sympathetic to SantaSA国际影视传媒檚 cause. They delivered the toys and donated their time to help cut back shipping costs, which Santa said was a large portion of the cost.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 not cheap, especially over the holidays when youSA国际影视传媒檙e asking them to send one trailer over Christmas.SA国际影视传媒�
With help from Grimshaw and Summit Air, Santa was able to deliver the toys shortly after Christmas.
Thompson said that they reached out to organizations in multiple communities to see if they could distribute the toys. Depending on if they are able, the toys will possibly go out to Wrigley, Sambaa KSA国际影视传媒檈, Fort Simpson, Fort Providence, and Fort Liard.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 just amazing to have (Santa) provide Christmas in January,SA国际影视传媒� said Thompson. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 unfortunate that through weather and other challenges we werenSA国际影视传媒檛 able to this during Christmas time but we thank very much the organizer.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e looking forward to sharing this late Christmas present.SA国际影视传媒�
All of the toys were purchased brand new and each toy costs $20 at minimum. The age demographic for the toys are targeted at 12 and under.
Some communities had all the toys they needed but others did not, said Santa. With the help of the MLAs, he sent toys to LutselkSA国际影视传媒檈, Fort Simpson and Tuktoyaktuk. There were also a couple of pallets worth of toys given to the hospital. Santa said that some of the MLAs told him that the need was greater than what he was able to provide.
SA国际影视传媒淚 did hear some feedback from LutselkSA国际影视传媒檈,SA国际影视传媒� said Santa. SA国际影视传媒淚t was the first time anyoneSA国际影视传媒檚 ever done that for them and they kind of didnSA国际影视传媒檛 know what to do, and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 the purpose of it. Some kids are happy to get anything.SA国际影视传媒�
Santa said he felt it was important to give gifts to Northerners.
SA国际影视传媒淚f youSA国际影视传媒檝e been in the North long enough, you see the struggles,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 not been a fun couple years with Covid-19, economic times in the north and not the greatest, people are struggling, the cost of living is out of control.SA国际影视传媒�
The Ladies Auxiliary, a volunteer group that runs The Joy Watt Gift Shop inside the hospital, will distribute the infant toys delivered to the hospital, along with a stuffed animal through their first newborn of the month program, as well as wherever else thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a need or a request.
The hospital will also use toys for their childrenSA国际影视传媒檚 gift-giving program the hospital does every Christmas, said Patty Olexin-Lang, executive director of the Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation.
SA国际影视传媒淭he toys are a very generous gift and we know that the children and families receiving them will be very appreciative,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭oys will also be distributed to the pediatrics unit and the pediatric clinic for their use and to distribute to children as they come through either the unit or clinic. Toys will be for the children to keep.SA国际影视传媒�
