Sometimes Santa needs help from beyond those small elves.
This year St. Nick got a giant assist from the big-hearted members of the Kiwanis Okotoks club.
Approximately 150 children went through the doors at Okotoks Walmart to purchase $40 worth of gifts at the Kiwanis Kids’ Christmas Toy Project on Dec. 15.
“We just moved here from southern Ontario in August and money is tight, we used up everything in the move,” said Michelle Johnston, who had three children with her at Walmart. “My husband works but we home-school so there is only the one income – because I’m homeschooling.”
She was overwhelmed with the event.
“I think it’s amazing,” Johnston said. “It’s nice to have the support from the community when you are not able to do everything for the kids that you want to do.
“To have the help from the community, there is no words for it.”
The Kiwanis event is a bonus for the Johnstons — so as a result their children were giving rather than receiving as they selected gifts for their brothers and sisters.
“We are using it for them to give to others, paying if forward to their siblings, essentially," Michelle said.
Lyla Johnston was studying the toys at Walmart during her busy schedule.
“I’m picking out a toy for Christmas for my brother and my sister,” eight-year-old Lyla said. “Then after this, I am going home to have lunch and then go to Brownie swim at the rec centre.”
So Lyla, what did you buy for your younger brother?
“I don’t want to tell you in case he reads it,” she said.
The children are referred to the club by various organizations, said Kiwanis Okotoks president Don Moss.
“The kids get a picture of Santa and then we as Kiwanis give them $40 to spend however they want,” Moss said.
The organizations are KidSport Okotoks, Rowan House, Okotoks Food Bank, Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters and McMan Youth Family Community Services.
Okotoks Walmart manager Steve Redmond said the store was glad to get involved.
“It’s once a year, it’s a great cause,” Redmond said. “We give them the run of the store.”
Walmart also provided treats, loot bags for the children and carnations for the mothers.
There were 20 Kiwanis on hand to greet and help the children at around 8:30 a.m.
