Sporting Christmas nears finish line with Christmas Eve now at hand

Things are getting a little crazy up at the North Pole right now, what with elves bustling about and Santa trying to squeeze into his old red suit.

It’s a big hustle-and-bustle over at Sporting Christmas headquarters, too, as donations flow in, while in homes around the city, families settle in to enjoy the generous spirit of all those who support the Salvation Army.

Sporting Christmas raises money for the Salvation Army’s Christmas hamper program. We’ve done it every year since 1976, thanks to the many generous people in our midst who have a heart for families needing a boost.

“Once again, we would like to offer our donation towards this wonderful cause to help the less fortunate in our community have a brighter Christmas,” write Andy and Joan Fusick. “Thank you, Sporting Christmas, for making this happen.”

And thanks to Andy and Joan for a generous gift that will be used, right down to the last nickel, in the best possible way.

“I am re-gifting to make my donation,” writes Ross Affleck. “I was in a car crash on Dec. 2; my peers at G3 Canada gave me a gift certificate. I’m okay, so here is to others more in need.”

Then Ross closes with a quote: “It’s a great day for hockey” — Bob

Johnson. Ross and Bob get no argument from us.

Tim Gitzel over at Cameco sends a donation from his family, while remembering a group of people we’ve all thought about a lot.

“Can’t go through the Christmas season without remembering our friends who were involved in the Humboldt bus accident,” write Tim, Bonnie, Ty and Bailey Gitzel. “Our thoughts are with all those affected.”

The Joey Nakrayko Memorial Golf Tournament stepped up for us again, while the Bodnar family remembers Ken and Mary Ready: “Loving parents, local sports enthusiasts and community volunteers. You are dearly missed.”

We hear every season from the fellows who flick discs in pursuit of the World Crokinole Championship, which is held in Saskatoon each December. They always pass the hat and send the pile of cash our way, along with a report on the momentous event.

“Barclay Schlosser and Jeff Yausie won the 35th annual Beer and Jeans Blowout, also known as the World Crokinole Championship,” they write. “The team of John Grainger, Paul Rogal and Brian Thorstad was second in the Saturday night event held at the corner of Doritos and Cheese Doodle in the Hilltops clubhouse.

“Cory Thoms, who talks a good game, but has skills as sharp as a butter knife, was voted the most

obnoxious player.

“Happy?” Thoms said in his acceptance speech, pointing at the organizers of the championship. “Sure, keep your big trophy show ’n’ shine swag. Hey, I’ve got one now, too.”

It was nice to hear from the Saskatoon K-40 Club, the Saskatoon Musicians Association, and every person and family whose gift is listed below.

Donations will continue to trickle in to Sporting Christmas over the next several days, and we’ll update everything in the new year with one final tally.

This is a perfect time to say a big thank you to Anita Milne, a most vital reindeer, who handles the

money and keeps this Sporting Christmas sled in the air and flying high, and to Jenna Giesbrecht, the friendly face at the counter who greeted many of our in-person donors and helped to keep things organized.

If you still want to send out a late donation, here’s how to do it:

Give online at thestarphoenix. com/sportingchristmas, or mail to: Sporting Christmas c/o The Starphoenix.

THANKS TO TODAY’S SANTAS:

■ Saskatoon K-40 Club: $280

■ Beth Rude: $40

■ Saskatoon Musicians Association: $75

■ World Crokinole Championship: $1,100

■ In memory of Joey Nakrayko, 23rd annual golf tournament: $500

■ Ross Affleck: $200

■ Remembering Gib Balkwill, a Christmas baby and avid sportsman, from Darrell Balkwill: $89

■ In memory of Jordan Chartier, who is loved and missed every day by his family and friends, from Lindsay, Darren, Colin and Connor Berglof: $60

■ In memory of Ken and Mary Ready from the Bodnar family: $100

■ In memory of my husband, Dennis O’shaughnessy, who loved his hockey almost as much as me, from Cynthia Carr: $200

■ Anonymous: $50

■ In memory of Lloyd and Jane Coffin, forever loved and missed, from Bob, Debi and family: $50

■ In loving memory of Diane Heidt, Christine Morris and Dena Yausie, from Jennifer Funk: $150

■ Andy and Joan Fusick: $2,000

■ Remembering our friends who were involved in the Humboldt Broncos bus accident from Tim, Bonnie, Ty and Bailey Gitzel: $1,000

■ From the Cubs, in memory of Bob’s mom, Lorraine Warner, our loyal fan: $150

■ Carol Minogue: $200 In memory of those who have gone before, from Paul and Vera Oleniuk: $100

■ In memory of Jay Sim: $75 In loving memory of my husband Lorne Stephens from Nowayme: $250

■ In memory of the members of the Bernard Tetreault family, deceased (d/m/y): Father Bernard (11/03/67), mother Edith (24/09/04), brother Edward (15/11/94), sister-in-law Annella (23/08/01), sister Jeannette (15/07/04), wife Barbara (03/06/02), from Gerard Tetreault: $300

■ In memory of four great friends and Saskatoon sportsmen: Ken Lozinsky, Cam Smith, Peter Clark, Jay Sim from Glen Zacharias: $50

■ In memory of husband, dad and grandpa Pete Zacharias: $50

Today’s Total: $7,069

TOTAL TO DATE: $64,777.05