Only a few days remain for the Santa’s Anonymous campaign and coordinator Tina Fields says hamper requests are up and volunteers are needed, but a $2,800 donation from a local ski hill has boosted Christmas spirits.
Banff Norquay Ski Resort, celebrating 90 years, held a 90-cent lift day on Dec. 9 and asked its users to donate to a worthy local charity – this month it is Santa’s Anonymous.
“It’s nice to be able to do something around the holidays,” said Teha Ciotti, sales and events manager at Banff Norquay.
Ciotti said a Banff Norquay manager was part of the inspiration for the donation as they shared a story of using Santa’s Anonymous in years past. The manager wasn’t able to afford Christmas presents or dinner for her young son and reached out to the local charity.
“(Her story) received a lot of positive feedback from staff,” Ciotti said.
The hamper campaign runs until this Friday (Dec. 18) and organizers accept cash donations, toys and gifts to support Banff and Lake Louise families, seniors and individuals in need during the holidays. Donations can be made at Banff’s Town Hall.
Non-perishable food items won’t be accepted, but will be donated to the Banff Food Bank.
Fields said final hamper numbers haven’t been released yet, but the number is greater than 140.
Hampers will be sent out to the community on Dec. 22, but first, they must be packed on Dec. 20-21.
“Those are two big days where we do require a lot of volunteers, so we don’t have as many as we’d like, certainly we’d like more for those days,” said Fields.
“It’s been very positive. The communities of Banff and Lake Louise are very generous every year and we look forward to another successful campaign.”
Banff Norquay will raise money for good causes during four more days in the ski season (Jan. 13, Feb. 10, Mar. 9 and Apr. 6).
For more information about Santa’s Anonymous, including how to volunteer, visit Banff.ca/santas, or call 403-762-1251.
