Staff at the Children’s Resource Council in High Prairie and volunteers line up Christmas care packages for Santa’s Little Helpers program. Front row, left-right, are program support worker Angela Ambida, volunteer Kelly Bellerose and program co-ordinator Tanya Auger. Back row, left-right, are program supervisor, Melody Pruden, CRC executive director Naal Sharkawi, and High Prairie School Division bus driver John Paddon, who drove the bus to deliver the care packages.
Richard Froese
South Peace News
High Prairie families and other individuals celebrated Christmas with food and gifts provided by a local family organization.
A total of 85 Christmas care packages with a turkey or ham, gift cards for other food, and gifts were delivered by Santa’s Little Helpers at the Children’s Resource Council, up from 67 in 2023, CAO Naal Sharkawi says.
“We served 52 families with 140 children and teens,” Sharkawi says.
Santa’s Little Helpers also delivered gifts, a turkey or ham and gift cards for Christmas dinner to 20 seniors and 13 adult individuals.
“We really wanted to encourage seniors to receive a Christmas care package and we are happy they applied,” Sharkawi says.
Santa’s Helpers were ready to prepare more packages considering the rising cost of food and other amenities, he adds.
“We were expecting closer to 75 applications,” Sharakwi says.
“We were up six seniors from 2023 and hope we can support even more next Christmas.”
The CRC charity committee also voted to increase the value of the vouchers to families to offset inflation.
Since 2020, the CRC has replaced food hampers with gift cards.
“This gives families the flexibility to pick what they want for Christmas dinner,” Sharkawi says.
Gift cards allows recipients to buy groceries and supplies at Freson Bros. except tobacco and lottery tickets.
He reminds people the program is committed to serve all those in need.
“We want everyone to have an amazing Christmas,” Sharkawi says.
“Talking with some families, we have heard ‘we didn’t apply because we didn’t think we would be approved’.”
He urges those in need to apply.
The CRC also encourages those who know of families and seniors in need to apply on their behalf.
“With other programs in the region, we are hoping families and others utilize the program to ensure they are taken care of,” Sharkawi says.
Santa’s Little Helpers appreciates support for the program.
“We had amazing support from the community,” Sharkawi says.
“Citizens and businesses from the High Prairie region always step up and their generosity is unparalleled.
“Helping families and ensuring children and youth are able to have an amazing Christmas is our goal and without that support, we could not make it happen.”
The CRC received great gifts, he says.
High Prairie Red Apple donated more than $9,000 during the Fill-a-Sleigh Day on Dec. 7 and the Together We Care Toy Drive.
West Fraser stepped up with a $5,000 donation, which Sharkawi says allows the CRC to continue a strong Santa’s Little Helpers program.
The seniors’ Angel Tree at IDA was also well supported.
“We appreciate the ongoing support for seniors in our community,” Sharkawi says.
He is also grateful for support from many local families wanting to contribute.
The CRC thanks staff and volunteers for all their service.
“Without our volunteers and the hard work of our staff, we would not be able to achieve our goal,” Sharkawi says.
“We will continue to provide families, seniors and adult individuals a merry Christmas with the amazing support from residents, business and organizations in the High Prairie region.”