PORT HARDY—The third annual Santa Claus Parade takes place this Sunday, and the Gazette will enter its van to accept donations of toys and non-perishable food for the 34th annual Gazette Hamper Fund.
The parade begins at 4 p.m. at Thunderbird Mall and follows the same route used in the Filomi Days Parade to its finish at Carrot Park. The Gazette van will be parked at the Visitor’s Information Centre at the end of the parade, and will be open for donations while Chamber of Commerce staff serve hot dogs and hot chocolate.
To enter a parade float or for more info, contact Angie at 250-949-7248 or aclance@monk.ca.
Taste the world
Providence Place will host a multi-cultural evening of food tasting and entertainment to benefit the Gazette Hamper Fund this Saturday from 6-9 p.m. Celebrate the cultural diversity of the North Island with three hours of alternating food and entertainment samplings, including First Nations, European, Asian, African, Caribbean and Scottish. Tickets $20, available at Providence Place and the Gazette office. Seating will be limited, please book early.
Horses for hampers
Members of the North Island’s Reinforest Riders equestrian club will hold a Christmas Toy Ride to benefit the Gazette Hamper Fund, in Port McNeill Thurs., Dec. 12.
Riders will assemble in the Lions Club parking lot to ride out at 6:30 p.m. The group will be riding through town collecting donations of toys, non-perishable food and cash for the Hamper Fund.
The route will traverse Woodland Dr., Haddington Cres., Quatsino Cres., Bayview Dr., Cypress St., Cedar St. by the A-Frame Church and Broughton Blvd. before arriving at the Gate House Community Theatre approximately 7:30 p.m.
“Hot chocolate will be served at the theatre for anyone who would like to come down and join us, drop off a donation or just check out our seasonally decorated horses,” organizer Leanne Jones said.
At approximately 8 p.m. the riders will resume their trip up Pioneer Hill Rd. to Chelohsin Cr, Cassiar Pl. and back to the Lions Hall.
Club members will be handing out candy along the way and will have support vehicles following to collect donations along the way.
“We hope you can come out, support this cause and help us put a smile on someone’s face on Christmas morning!” said Jones.
Cash for cans
The Port Hardy Return-it Centre is once again offering North Islanders an opportunity to contribute to the Hamper Fund by donating their can and bottle returns to the fund.
Just inform staff at the time of your return that you wish to donate part or all of the amount to the Hamper Fund. Through last weekend, the Return-it Centre had already received nearly $1,600 in donations.