After all was said and done, the community has helped more than 100 families enjoy a Merry Christmas this season.
Westlock Family & Community Support Services oversees the annual Santa’s Anonymous program in Westlock, and director Cindy Olchowy said she was pleased with the results.
“The campaign was very successful, and I’m very happy with that,” she said.
“It’s due to many factors, primarily the generosity of this community.”
FCSS processed a total of 112 applications serving a total of 339 people this year, providing among other things grocery store gift certificates and an assortment of gifts to ensure that everybody got something under the tree this year.
As for the reaction from the families who benefited from the charity, Olchowy said it is always positive — whether while distributing the Christmas cheer prior to the holidays or getting that feedback after the fact.
“They’re certainly appreciative. We’ve had some who have called us and said how much of a difference it’s made to their Christmas,” she said.
Money for the program is collected in many ways throughout the season.
Sometimes it’s individuals, businesses or community groups that make donations. Other funding comes in from the collection tins spread out throughout town during December.
Some individuals and groups also participate in the Adopt-a-Family program, in which participants take care of all of a family’s Christmas needs — from presents to the food for dinner. There were 20 participants of that program this year.
The program is income-tested, meaning families must provide proof of falling below a certain income threshold to qualify, but families can also be referred by other social agencies without providing that information.
“If there was a social agency that identified a family that they identified to need some assistance at this time of year, we certainly accommodated them,” Olchowy said.
In addition to providing the Christmas cheer over the holiday season, the Santa’s Anonymous program also recognizes that some families need help at other times of the year as well.
“Working in partnership with our food bank — they serve our families throughout the whole year — we’ll be making a $1,000 contribution to that agency,” Olchowy said.
