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In the lead-up to 980 CJME’s 50th annual Santas Anonymous wrap day, students gathered at the Regina Food Bank on Wednesday to help sort all the toys donated by the public.
Boxes upon boxes were filled with everything from teddy bears to LEGO sets, crafts, books, Nerf guns, Barbie dolls, board games, action figures and more.
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas for Bella Patryluk, a Grade 8 student at St. Jerome School in Regina.
“Seeing all the presents that are going to go to kids in need really puts you in the spirit,” said Patryluk.
She was helping to sort the hundreds if not thousands of toys into age groups to make it easier for volunteers to pick out gifts and wrap them on Saturday.
“I feel like, these days, kids like us aren’t really doing much to help other people and doing this as a school just encourages more people to do it,” said Patryluk.
Logan Litzenberger said knowing less-fortunate kids will be able to open a gift on Christmas makes him feel good inside. He and his friend donated 71 toys.
“We know we both get presents on Christmas and it’s better to give than receive,” said Litzenberger.
Grade 8 teacher Suzanne McMillan has been bringing her class to sort day at the Food Bank for nearly a decade.
She explained why she brings her students back every year.
“(It’s) to teach them the value of giving back and to bring happiness to them and to show them what it’s like to do something that’s so rewarding like this,” said McMillan.
She had a special message to pass along now that Santas Anonymous is in its 50th year.
“Think about others this holiday season and reach deep within your heart to realize the true meaning of Christmas,” said McMillan.
A handful of volunteers from companies that work out of the Path Cowork space in downtown Regina also helped sort gifts.
Katie Strong with Path Cowork said it’s overwhelming to see all the toys that were donated.
“It’s a great way for the community to come together and it actually makes me very proud of Regina,” said Strong. “Just knowing that these kids probably are expecting all of it, it’s an overwhelming feeling of joy and pride.”
The goal is to make sure every child in Regina has a gift to open on Christmas morning.
980 CJME’s Santas Anonymous wrap day starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday at the Regina Food Bank.