Drayton Valley Santas Anonymous kicks off

As mid-November has come and gone it is time for Santas Anonymous to start making their plans for hampers again.

Lions Club president, Dylan Fulks, says they started accepting names for families to receive the baskets November 12. They will continue taking names until December 10.

Fulks says they will accept families that have been nominated by someone else, but they always call the family to check with them before they prepare the hamper. He says they need to double check contact information and to confirm that there is a need for the hamper.

In the past, he says they have put together for a family without contacting them, but in the end, the hampers were refused. It’s now their policy to check with each family ahead of time.

As for accepting donations, Fulks says they will be taking unwrapped toys and gifts up until December 17. He says they do accept gift cards as well.

Any gifts being donated are required to be new and in the package. They must also be unwrapped as it will have to be unwrapped before it goes into a hamper. Fulks says they also cannot accept any homemade gifts such as baked goods.

Fulks says this year he’s not sure what will be required as far as the volunteers go. Last year he had to reduce the number of volunteers, but he’s not sure it will be the same this time around. So far, he says it doesn’t sound like anyone will need to be vaccinated in order to help out.

“We’re considered an essential service so it’s not like a dining establishment or a social gathering. That’s where it’s a little bit different for us,” he says.

Fulks says they have families that volunteer after they’ve received donations. Or some families who will be receiving hampers offer to volunteer to help make the hampers.

“There are no names associated with the hampers, so no one knows who’s hamper they are filling,” says Fulks.

Several companies are currently collecting toys for donation, including Distribution NOW, Bumper to Bumper, and Carlson Roberts Seely. He says the Cram the Cruiser event will take place on December 10 in the Walmart parking lot. The Thunder will also be hosting a Stuff the Bus event.

Anyone looking to nominate a family or ask to be added to the list can contact 780-234-6065. Fulks says if there are other businesses who want to set up a toy drive they can contact someone through the Drayton Valley Santas Anonymous Facebook page so they can make arrangements to pick up the donations.