Holiday charity nearing milestone

When you write sports for a living, you work with a lot of numbers.

They float in your head and on your screen, because a number sometimes tells a story, too.

Sporting Christmas has numbers too, of course, and we’re closing in on a big one: $2 million. At some point over the next week or two, we’ll hit that lofty digit. It’s significant, because it represents four-plus decades of selfless acts.

Since we began raising money for the Salvation Army’s Christmas hamper program in 1976, kind-hearted people and businesses have donated $1,996,269.09, including today’s totals. That leaves us just $3,730.91 short of the $2 million mark, and those are my favourite kinds of numbers — even better than earned-run average.

Good sport Randy Kleckner is remembered today by Isabelle Kleckner: “Randy was a devoted fan of all sports but loved his Habs and was a lifelong supporter of the softball community in Saskatoon. Even though he had to watch from his wheelchair, he truly felt that he was a part of every game.”

Mark Greenough and Laurene Wilson send us a donation “in memory of Greenough family members who are no longer with us, but remembered with love at this time of year: Mark, Sandy, Pauline, Anne, Paul.”

Longtime Sporting Christmas friend Wendy Lander tells us her donation “is in memory of my late husband and my two children that all left us far too early. Best of luck. This is a great cause.”

A group of entertaining seniors called the Golden Jewels send a gift today as they prepare for a busy December.

“I represent a group of 20 to 25 senior citizens — called the Golden Jewels — ranging in age from youthful 60’s into young-at-heart 90’s who perform a Christmas pageant for groups, churches, organizations, schools, but mainly senior homes each Christmas season,” writes Rick Murza.

Rick tells us the group, in its 11th year and with nearly 80 performances, portrays the Christmas story, based on the Gospel of Luke, “through narration, song, and a costumed cast.” It’s free of charge, with any honoraria coming their way going into shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

If you want to join the crowd for a wonderful cause, here’s how:

Visit thestarphoenix.com/sportingchristmas and click the donation link, or stop at our downtown office and leave your donation at our front desk or in the slot inside the front doors.

You can also mail to:

Sporting Christmas, c/o The Starphoenix

204 Fifth Ave. North, Saskatoon, Sask.

S7K 2P1

And if you want a tax receipt, please let us know.

THANKS TO TODAY’S SANTAS:

■ Memory of Jim Anderson from Merv and Lil Prysiazniuk: $100

■ The Golden Jewels: $100

■ Memory of husband Ed Hippe from Eileen Hippe: $100

■Memory of Shorty, Stephen and Nicole Lander, from Wendy Lander: $150

■ Anonymous: $75

■ Memory of Greenough family members Mark, Sandy, Pauline, Anne and Paul from Dr. Timothy Greenough and Dr. Laurene Wilson: $150

■ Anonymous: $100

■ George and Ellen Parchomchuk: $200

■ Loving memory of Edna and Nick Korpan from their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: $200

■ Loving memory of Randy Kleckner from Isabelle Kleckner: $200

■ Memory of George and Anne Gabrielson from Neil Gabrielson: $100

■ Anonymous: $100

■ Memory of a great sportsman and friend, Dr. Klaas Post, from Chuck and Anita Rhodes: $100

■ Today’s total: $1,675

■ TOTAL TO DATE: $9,070