Listen to daily commentary from provincial news director Sarah Mills
Sarah Mills says air travel used to be the height of sophistication, but now flying is... a little bit gross. Why do rul...
The Core Ritchie Neighbourhood Centre in Regina was bustling with families taking part in holiday festivities on Saturday at the annual Jingle Ball.
As their parents looked on, many kids were seen wandering through the building, jumping in the bouncy castle, getting their faces painted, and receiving free books and custom balloon art.
Read more:
- 60 years, 2 cards: The timeless Christmas tradition turned biography
- Affordability measures could take longer than Sask. government hoped
- Delivering Christmas cheer: A letter-perfect holiday tradition
The ball is hosted every year by the Al Ritchie Community Association and Executive Director Denis Simard said the event is about helping families who may be going through financial hardships to experience Christmas.
Kids at the event even got to meet with Santa on Saturday.
“This is a great opportunity for every child who shows up today. Every child who meets with Santa is going to leave with a gift,” Simard said.
Free books were offered to everyone attending the 2024 Jingle Ball. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)
Simard also said participants were offered free books provided by Regina Public Library and United Way. There were also several door prizes offered by some of Al Ritchie’s local sponsors.
“More than anything else, it’s just a day to spend in community with face painters and balloon artists and having a lot of fun,” Simard said.
Simard said the event typically gets 400 families attending every year and the Jingle Ball has been held annually for more than a decade.
Beatrice Wallace called in with her two-year-old granddaughter. Although it was her first time, Wallace was very impressed.
“I think it’s great. Everything that they’re doing — especially the literature that they have — it’s really good,” Wallace said.
Wallace said her granddaughter enjoyed everything, including seeing Santa and getting a custom balloon art item.
She said she would definitely come back next year.
A balloon artist crafted custom items for children attending the 2024 Jingle Ball. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)
Simard said there was nothing more special than seeing the faces of children light up while getting to see Santa and then receiving a gift.
“We had 220 kids last year who got gifts from the event and (for) about 25 of those, we were told specifically by the families that that was probably going to be the only gift under the tree — and that’s why we do it every year,” he said.
On top of events like the Jingle Ball, the Al Ritchie Community Association also provides free food and clothing to people in the community — about 5,000 people every month.
“Despite all of that, we still put on these free events because we think it’s important for Christmas – these types of key moments in one’s life for a child should be lived no matter what your economic status,” he said.
Simard said Al Ritchie had seen an increased demand for its services this year and the centre will be open every week from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., although it will be closed for Christmas and New Year’s.
As a non-profit, he said the organization relies on corporate sponsors and grants and is always open to exploring new partnerships.
Read more:
