The community of Boyle is once again supporting the drive to help those that may not have as much for the holidays.
According to Terry Mudryk-Harbarenko, president of Santa’s Helping Hand in Boyle, this year’s Santa’s Anonymous campaign is going really well.
“We’ve got so many organizations and people on board. The community is very supportive,” she said.
Santa’s Anonymous is an annual charity that runs near Christmas with the goal of giving food and toys to families in need and it’s one that Boyle really gets behind.
“Without all the commitments and the generous donations we couldn’t do what we do,” Mudryk-Harbarenko added.
Various organizations around town donate money and food on an annual basis. The money from the Devon Bottle Drive is enough to buy turkeys for all the hampers and Tri-Gen Construction holds an annual event that challenges local companies to bring in food.
“The food is weighed and the company which brings in the most gets bragging rights, a box of chocolates and a picture in the paper,” she stated
Last year, the event received 3,600 pounds of food.
The Boyle Co-op takes in monetary donations and matches it in $40 and $50 store gift cards. In previous years, they’ve given out around $1,900 in gift cards.
“(We) had a dad that hurt his back and was in a hard place. The $40 gift card allowed him to buy a gift for his daughter and gas to go to her school concert. I’m so glad we were a part of it,” said Mudryk-Harbarenko.
The store also sells “Santa bags” that range in price from $10 to $50. Each bag contains basic food items from a list to be donated to the charity.
Last year, the charity helped 47 families – a number that Mudryk-Harbarenko expects to match this year.
“For a lot of the families it’s a one time help,” she said.
“They’re just working families that have had some hardships. Some of the stories (really) tug on your heartstrings (and) it’s nice that we can help.”
Food and toys can be donated at the Village of Boyle’s post office, Value Drug Mart and the Co-op. All donations should be in by Dec. 15 as the hampers will be delivered on Dec. 17.
Those who know of a family who “needs our support or a helping hand”, they can call Mudryk-Harbarenko at 780-689-6736 or email [email protected].
