A ‘wonderful cause’

Sporting Christmas readers pitch in with helping hand ... as they always do

The ground has that snowy crunch. Like they say, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

“Beginning” is the operative word, because we haven’t hit December yet, but that spirit’s in the air.

Sporting Christmas is one way to both get and share that feeling. We raise money for the Salvation Army’s Christmas hamper program, and we don’t hold back a single nickel. Everything we collect makes a brighter and happier Christmas for area families, and if you’ve ever faced real need — real, real need — then you’ll understand why this is so important.

Stephanie Choma, a most excellent and wonderful friend from way back, sends in her regular donation, with a twist.

“It’s amazing to see this project edging toward the $2 million mark,” Stephanie writes. “Cheers to the SP team and the Salvation Army for making magic happen for so many people. Topping up my donation by $44 in recognition of the 44 years that Sporting Christmas has been there for those who need a helping hand.”

And yes — like Stephanie says, we are indeed closing in on $2 million raised all-time. We’re at $1,998,618.09, which leaves us (here I madly smash the calculator buttons) just $1,381.91 short. Or, if you’re rounding up, $1,382, which represents the awfully big hearts of an awfully large number of people, groups and businesses through the decades.

The Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate sends their annual gift our way. They do invaluable work with youth sports, and today’s paper has a story on what some of their members are up to. Hint: It’s the remarkable Bowlt Classic basketball tournament.

“Once again,” write Dawn and Murray Louden, “it is time to donate to the wonderful cause that is Sporting Christmas. This year we would like to donate in memory of my parents, Bert Morris who died March 11 and Arlene Morris who joined him Nov. 2.

“The folks were avid sports fans, watching football, hockey and baseball. They cheered on the Riders faithfully, even through the Dark Ages when the team couldn’t buy a win and regularly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. In those lean years, mom often said she was a sucker for the underdog — she cheered for the Riders, Leafs and was a Saskatchewan Liberal.

“Thanks again for the good work in supporting the Salvation Army in their efforts to ensure that everyone has a Merry Christmas. (Also, once again, we’d like to put in a plug for Tokyo’s Unofficial CFL Podcast — a member of the CFL Podcast Network).”

Murray Alberts remembers a man who made a tremendous contribution to hockey in Saskatchewan.

“My donation,” he writes, “is in memory of Donn Clark. Donnie played and coached the game and was a well-known and respected coach wherever he went, particularly for his contributions to the Humboldt Broncos over a period of seven years. Gone before his time. A good friend to many with a heart of gold.”

Ike Penner is fondly remembered today by “Laura, Doug, Kathy and families.

“This is now part of our family’s Christmas tradition to remember Ike Penner, who passed away on Nov. 27, 2002, with a donation to Sporting Christmas. Ike was a huge sports fan and always supported the Salvation Army.”

Meanwhile, Bob and Heather Shoemaker pass on a “thank you to all Santa’s helpers.”

We agree.

THANKS TO TODAY’S SANTAS

■ Anonymous: $100

■ Memory of my parents Robert (who died in August) and Eunice (who died 10 years ago this month) from Leslie Mclaren: $25

■Memory of Allen, Denny and

■ Kevin Dumas, and Diane Kosok (Dumas), from Donna Millikin (Dumas): $150

Viviane and Brian Dunn: $30

■ Memory of Rae Murdock from

■ Joan and family: $100

■ Memory of husband Ray Perrault from Gerri Perrault: $100 Starphoenix roll-ends: $500

■ Dale and Stella Mcshane: $200

■ Saskatoon Secondary Schools

■ Athletic Directorate: $300 Roland Delhomeau: $100

■ Stephanie Choma: $144

■ Memory of Murray Gibson, Art

■ Guse and Peter Clark — three outstanding Saskatoon sportsmen, from Tony Linner: $50

■Memory of parents Bert Morris and Arlene Morris from Dawn and Murray Louden: $200

■Memory of Donn Clark from Murray Alberts: $100

■Memory of Ike Penner from Laura,

■ Doug, Kathy and families: $100

■Memory of Tiffany Guttormson: $50

Bob and Heather Shoemaker: $100

Today’s total: $2,349

TOTAL TO DATE: $11,419