What Would Santa Do helps 150 Renfrew families
Posted Dec 20, 2021 02:58:00 PM.
Santa Claus kept his word and returned to the Town of Renfrew, just as he promised he would last December.
The second annual What Would Santa Do (WWSD) event held at Renfrew’s Ma-Te-Way Park, Sunday, December 19, attracted about 35 more families than last year.
But there was no sadness last night when Santa showed up his sleigh and parked it under one of the 6,000 lights that were placed high in the trees by a 20-member volunteer group led by Katie Skerkowsi.
He brought 300 wrapped presents along with 150 bags containing a full turkey dinners.
“We were so lucky that Santa found the time to come to Renfrew tonight,” Skerkowski said. “Last year we heard negative things about Christmas and how COVID has taken away the Christmas spirit and people were giving up on the true meaning of Christmas. Some may have forgotten just how good it feels to actually perform an act of kindness, even more when it is a complete stranger.”
With her bubbly smile and energetic personality, Skerkowski is able to point out the blessings of the season, despite being a very chilly -18 degrees Celsius.
“Oh sure it’s a little chillier than last year, but it’s nothing our group can’t handle. We are helping Santa give about 300 wrapped gifts for all the kids coming out this year and that is what keeps our volunteers motivated and we are proud to be part of the What Would Santa Do network that provides this service.”
When the OPP directs the guests into the parking lot, they go by a series of stations manned by the volunteers who hand out Santa’s presents, some provide hot chocolate, others receive letters-to-Santa and a bag containing a frozen turkey, a box of stuffing, vegetables, instant potatoes and gravy is given to each vehicle.
All is made possible by the WWSD Foundation and the volunteers.
“There are more people registered this year over last year,” Skerkowski said. “I am glad we have such a generous community. All we are doing is letting people know that if they are in a spot where they could use a little help with Christmas dinner or getting a present for their kids,there is a community that wants to make sure they have a Christmas dinner and gifts.”
Skerkowski came up with the idea last year when she encouraged her friends to ask their neighbours, favourite business or anyone they knew, a simple question: 'What Would Santa Do?' And the idea of creating an event was born.
This year she once again she called on her Uncle Bernie Skerkowski, a Valley native who has called Tampa Bay home the last 14 years and he has been involved with the WWSD network and a good resource to launch the event, to help organize a second one.
“This just shows how one little act of kindness will not only make the other person feel special, but for our group, the joy we all feel knowing we are making sure these families have something under the tree is indescribable. “
“It may be cold tonight, but seeing all this happen, it just brings warmth,” is how Kathy Black described her volunteer experience. It was hard not to deny what she said as her face was beaming with joy when she handed a present to Hailey Maxwell, and with a quiet whisper the young person said thanks.
After close to two hours of waving to the cars and making 300 children happy as they clutched their Christmas presents, Santa declared it was a great night for all and said, “Merry Christmas to all…and to all a good night.”
