After an anonymous $40,000 donation over the weekend, Santas Day in support of 630 CHED Santas Anonymous grand total of $200,184 last week. That means about 5,000 more children will have a toy under the tree this Christmas.
“We are humbled and overjoyed by the generosity of our community,” Santas executive director Angel Benedict said. “The heartfelt stories we heard today really drive home why we exist and reinforces why we need to continue to push forward.
“Once just isn’t enough, so thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Santas Day on 630 CHED brought stories from long-time volunteers, past recipients, board members and staff to the 630 CHED airwaves throughout the day.
“The day was full of so many important stories, it inspired this anonymous donor to contact us with this $40,000 gift over the weekend,” Benedict said. “It just goes to show the generosity of people in this region and the relationship they have with Santas’ kids.”
This year, Santas will provide toy packages to about 20,000 Edmonton children. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, Santas has seen a 20 per cent decrease in toy donations.
“Cash donations are an excellent alternative and allow Santa’s helpers to purchase exactly what Santa needs to fulfill all of our kids’ Christmas wish lists,” Benedict said.
Monetary donations were collected from CHED listeners starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday.
“Every year, regardless of the challenges they face, Edmontonians and all 630 CHED listeners come through to make the holiday season that much brighter for children who may not otherwise find a present under their tree,” Corus radio station manager Brent Pushkarenko said.
“Santas Day helps to ensure the continued success of 630 CHED Santas Anonymous, which has put smiles on the faces of thousands upon thousands of children since it was founded in 1955.”
630 CHED Mornings with Daryl McIntyre got the day going. Co-host Chelsea Bird even took a break from her maternity leave to join the fundraising effort and was on with Daryl all morning.
From 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., law firm James H. Brown matched all donations up to $10,000 for the first power hour.
Shaye Ganam took over at 9 a.m. with the second power hour until 10 a.m. Sky Eye Measurement matched all donations up to $5,000.
Shaye had the first of two packages that were auctioned off live.
From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., listeners had the opportunity to bid on a staycation and vacation package valued at $4,000. It included:
- One round-trip flight for two guests to any regularly scheduled and marketed WestJet destination
- Chef’s dinner table for two
- Tickets for two to an NHL game at Rogers Place (game TBD)
- One night stay at the Varscona on Whyte
- One set of luggage
The winning bid for that package was $3,800.
On the day, a power hour was sponsored by Pembina Pipelines. The company pledged to match up to $5,000 in donations from 11 a.m. to noon.
During Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer, Caron Measurement and Controls matched all donations up to $5,000 from noon to 1 p.m.
630 CHED Afternoons with J’lyn Nye started an hour early Wednesday at 2 p.m.
From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., J’lyn had the second live auction item: a summer of country package worth $4,500.
It included:
- A private acoustic backyard concert by Aaron Goodvin
- Catering for up to 40 people by Curbside Food Truck
- General admission weekend passes for Big Valley Jamboree
- General admission weekend passes for Country Thunder
After a fierce bidding war, that package went for a whopping $6,100
Then, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Crosstown Chrysler Jeep Dodge matched donations up to $5,000.
The final power hour saw Sentinel Storage matching donations up to $5,000 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Delivery days for Santas are Dec. 18 and 19, and volunteer shifts to deliver gifts will open on Dec. 6 at noon.
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