At 6am on December 15, the 22nd annual Santa in the North kicked off with the first flight to Wollaston Lake. A second flight followed shortly afterwards to Stony Rapids, road trip to Black Lake and a final flight to Fond Du Lac completed Santa’s journey on December 16.
We’re so thankful for all of the sponsors, supporters and volunteers. You have all made an incredible contribution to children in the Athabasca region.
This year we delivered a record-breaking 1380 gifts. Each one featured an orange, toy, candy cane, and an age-appropriate book. The majority of books this year were by Indigenous authors.
Thank you: Athabasca Basin Development Cameco Connects, Northern Lights Community Development Corp, Orano, SSR Mining Inc., Athabasca Basin Security, Flyer Electric, Team Drilling, Points Athabasca Contracting LP, Points North Group of Companies, Long Lake Insurance, Harold’s Family Foods, CTV News, Rise Air, Snowbird Aviation Services, Hands On Outreach & Development Centre, Imagine That Media YXE, Eagle Feather News, Real Canadian Superstore, Allison Strong, Bella McMahon, Ben Borne, Glenn LaFleur, Dan Gold, Christian Scibetta, Brady Tetzlaff, Stacey Hein, Joni Straker, Victor Fern, Rick Robillard, Joey Browning and Ashley.
To all those who stepped up at Rise Air to ensure that everything was packed in time – thank you.
Note: Images of the children are not included in the gallery. They have been sent to the schools for distribution subject to parental consent.
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- Thank you Rick and Joey for helping in Stony Rapids..
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- Returning from Black Lake.
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- Santa before the first visit.
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- Father Porte Memorial Dene School.
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- Fresh mandarins not just traditional, but nutritious.
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- More books.
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- Christian and Brady – Santa’s official crew.
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- When one Santa is not enough. Santa Bella was amazing!
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- Views of Christmas.
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- Stony Rapids Community School.
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- Thank you Athabasca Basin Development for the books from Indigenous authors.
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- Of course Santa delivered extra copies!
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- Day one of sorting items for Santa in the North. Allison Strong and Ben Borne.
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- Santa getting in the zone.
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- Wollaston High School, Santa’s little helper.
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- One of many incredible Indigenous-authored books.
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- Santa is certainly popular.
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- We packed many of these to ensure that every child had a gift.
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- Squeezing in to Santa’s Selfie!
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- Father Porte Memorial Dene School staff.
