Wabasca Santas Anonymous helped more families in 2025 than in 2024

In 2025 Wabasca Santas Anonymous assisted over 250 families and delivered gifts to about 560 children; in 2024 the program provided hampers to 199 families, 26 singles and 70 elders.

Wabasca Santas Anonymous reached more families in 2025 than it did the previous year. The program is coordinated by the Wabasca Lions Club with help from the Neepinise Food Bank and other local groups. It provides Christmas food hampers—intended to include all the ingredients for a turkey dinner—and gifts for children. Community organizations and volunteers also helped with donations, toy drives and deliveries. What is known: - In 2025 the program helped more than 250 families and around 560 children aged 17 and under received gifts, reported a Lions volunteer. - In 2024 Santas Anonymous provided food hampers to 199 families, plus hampers for 26 singles and 70 elders, according to Lions President Melba Auger. - The Wabasca Lions accepted applications and managed family hampers while the Neepinise Food Bank handled elders and people without children. - The program’s usual costs were reported as about $30,000 plus toy donations, and the M.D. of Opportunity donated $15,000 for the project; some food was donated by the Northern Store and Home Hardware. - Local helpers included the Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program from Mistassiniy School, Bigstone Fire Department, Home Hardware and the Wabasca RCMP, which assist with assembling and delivering hampers. Summary: The 2025 effort reached a larger number of families and involved multiple community partners and donors. Organizers plan a fundraiser in the coming months and expect to run the Wabasca Lions Campground in spring and summer, with the usual May long weekend opening possibly delayed by heavy snow. Undetermined at this time.