We all know that Santa is faster than the speed of light on Christmas Eve, but an energetic group of Fort Smith residents gave the jolly fellow a run for his money recently during a fundraising Santa Run.
This is the third year for the Paul William Kaeser (PWK) High School Santa Run SA国际影视传媒� a fundraiser that helps the Fort Smith Food Bank during the Christmas season.
The event was the brainchild of PWK teacher Anna McDonald, who became inspired by a Santa Run she saw online three years ago during the Covid lockdown SA国际影视传媒� a time when many staff couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 fly home for the holiday season.
SA国际影视传媒淚 wanted to do something fun with staff and get them into the Christmas spirit,SA国际影视传媒� McDonald said of the inaugural five-kilometer fun run that saw 12 Santas participating and raising money for the ChildrenSA国际影视传媒檚 Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Then last year, while McDonald was a Grade 11 and 12 physical education teacher, she said part of her curriculum was for students to plan a community event that would promote physical activity.
SA国际影视传媒淚 thought this would be a good way to integrate the two ideas: taking the Santa Run, integrating it at the community level, and then have it completely run by our students,SA国际影视传媒� McDonald said.
The students became responsible for the run logistics, including getting Santa suits for participants. McDonald said a donation from the Mackenzie Recreation Association helped offset the cost of the Santa suits purchased from the Hay River Dollarama, so there was no overhead cost to cover.
Students then had to determine who would receive the funds raised by the event and decided they wanted to help their own community, so they chose the Fort Smith Food Bank to benefit, McDonald said, adding that more than $1,500 was raised.
SA国际影视传媒淭hey felt great about it. They were taking charge of it for their community,SA国际影视传媒� she said of the enthusiasm.
SA国际影视传媒淚t was super awesome to see,SA国际影视传媒� she said of the event, which saw 50 Santas running through the town despite last yearSA国际影视传媒檚 very cold weather.
SA国际影视传媒淥ne hundred per cent of the proceeds went to the food bank,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
This year, the Santa Run was held during the last weekend of November, and warmer weather brought out not only the walking and jogging Santas, but also entire Santa families with Santa children in strollers SA国际影视传媒� 62 participants in total, McDonald said.
In planning for this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 event, students took part in the registration process, which was run from the yurt in the cultural centre area of the school, which also marked the starting line, she said.
Students prepared warm tea, bannock on a stick and hot chocolate, which were waiting by the outdoor fire for all the Santas as they crossed the finish line.
One important thing about the event, McDonald said, is that everybody in the community can be involved, regardless of the ability to pay the registration fee.
SA国际影视传媒淓veryone is able to come down and participate in the run. People can donate what they can at the time,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
And each year now, she said they have a goal to add SA国际影视传媒渙ne more thingSA国际影视传媒� to the event, noting that this year, kilometre markers were added to the mapped-out trail.
SA国际影视传媒淲e are gradually making it into a bigger event, to make it feel like a run people would participate in down south.SA国际影视传媒�
And for the fastest Santa? They have the honour of having their name engraved onto the winning trophy. And everyone involved gets to feel the Christmas spirit of giving and helping during what can be a difficult season for many.
SA国际影视传媒淚t is a great time and a nice way to give back to the community. The town has been really helpful SA国际影视传媒� weSA国际影视传媒檝e been getting great feedback. And the students have pride in the event,SA国际影视传媒� McDonald said.
SA国际影视传媒淎nd everyone gets to keep their Santa suit.SA国际影视传媒�
