Donations take flight as airport chips in

The ’ol Sporting Christmas mailbag is full of great stuff today.

So rather than me going on and on, let’s turn the rest of this column over to today’s donors.

The Saskatoon Airport Authority is a welcome part of our effort to raise funds for the Salvation Army’s Christmas hamper program, and they do it in a most inventive fashion.

“Again this year, the Saskatoon Airport Authority has decided to donate all money collected from the payment of parking violations for November to Sporting Christmas,” writes Maxine Montgomery, the manager of customer and terminal services. “The amount may include violations incurred prior to November, but paid during those months.

“We will continue to collect money for the month of December and forward that to you prior to Christmas. We are very pleased to support this worthwhile charity. It does help to ease the pain of paying a fine when people understand it is going to a good cause.”

Thanks to the folks over at the airport for thinking of us. And if you do get a parking ticket there over the next few weeks, you can turn that frown upside down by knowing that the fine will help feed needy families at Christmas.

Nathan Toon wrote on behalf of himself and his mother this week with a nice memorial for a former Saskatoon Blades’ goalie.

“My mom and I would like to make a donation in memory of my uncle Tommy Muc,” Nathan writes. “He died of prostate cancer when he was only 46 years old. I was only three years old, so I don’t really remember him but I want to help keep on creating his memory.

“I love hockey and sports. My uncle was a goalie for the Saskatoon Blades when he was 20 years old. I would have loved and been so proud to have watched him since I really like going to Blade hockey games. I think he knows I am writing this letter to you.

“My mom says this is why this is so important to help people — not only at Christmas, but all year long. Thanks a lot.”

W. J. Davern always thinks of Sporting Christmas at this time of year with a donation and a thoughtful note.

“I (donate) gladly and with the fervent wish that it will bring a little joy and hope into the lives of those less fortunate in our community,” he writes.

“At this time of the year, we give thanks for the wonderful blessings of the past year, and we celebrate with family and friends,” Davern adds. “But we must always be mindful that not everyone in Saskatoon is so lucky. I regret to say that there are many in our community who need our help not just at Christmas, but throughout the year. The challenge is to never forget to do our part.

“The Salvation Army provides an invaluable and much needed service in our community. They provide basic necessities for those who need it most. They provide food where there is hunger, shelter where there is homelessness, comfort where there is loneliness and hope where there is despair. I am so pleased that The StarPhoenix has pitched in to help with those efforts.”

Lorna and Murray Tufts sent us a donation in memory of four loved ones, including Carson Tufts, who played third on the Don Wilson rink that won the 1968 Canadian senior men’s curling championship.

Conrad and Ronnie Lange sent us a gift in memory of Clarence Iverson, “who was a guide and volunteer with the Saskatoon Blind Skiers for many years,” the write.

The Rambling Rovers Trailer Club came up with some much needed assistance, as did Webster’s Auto Electric and Repair. We were also serenaded in person this week by the 42nd St. Barbershop Singers, who then dropped off a donation. They were, by all accounts, in great voice.

We also received our annual donation from the Silent Helpers, who want to remember N. Mack while looking forward to the 2013 sports season.

“Once this holiday season is over, the new year will be the Year of the Cups in Saskatchewan,” write the Helpers. “In March, we’ll be cheering for the Huskies hosting the University Cup. It would be great to see a new, overdue CIS championship banner up at Rutherford Rink on campus. The same thoughts are echoed for the Blades as they host the Memorial Cup in May. We’ll be cheering for them against the best junior teams in Canada.

“Next fall, hopefully there is a true Grey Cup celebration in Rider Nation for the Riders. It is fantastic to host a national event, but way better to actually win it! It happened last month for the Grey Cup in T.O. We need to do the same here. There you go, three big national championships to be held in our province! The Huskies, Blades and Riders all need some of that magic for a national championship title from none other than the Hilltops. Congrats again to coach Sarge and the guys for another national title!”

If you’d like to join the crowd — and you know you do — visit our website at www.thestarphoenix.com/ sportingchristmas, or mail or drop off your donation to Sporting Christmas c/o The StarPhoenix 204 Fifth Ave. North Saskatoon, Sask. S7K 2P1