A group of sixth-grade students and an educator from Battleford Central School pose for a group picture at Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre on Dec. 16, 2024. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

HOLIDAY SPIRIT

‘It’s really fun’: Battlefords students become Santa’s elves to help food bank

Dec 18, 2024 | 5:05 PM

Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre (BDFRC) provided local kids the opportunity be ‘Santa’s elves’ for an afternoon.

A group of sixth-grade students from Battleford Central School embraced the holiday spirit on Monday by volunteering to prepare 450 boxes for Christmas food hampers and toy donations to be assembled.

As simple as taping boxes seems to some, one of the volunteers, Lang Amelia, believes it is a good opportunity to follow in her grandma’s footsteps and give back.

“My grandma used to help out with everybody, so it made me want to help out because lots of people need help, and lots of people should live a happy life,” Amelia said.

“I like helping out with charity, especially for those in need and those who need help and stuff.”

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Lang Amelia said her grandmother inspired her passion for helping others.(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

Students are working hard to get all the 450 boxes taped up.(Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

When asked about her Christmas message to all the food bank clients, her response was simple yet sweet.

“Have a Merry Christmas! You all are loved no matter what,” she said.

Another volunteer was Elijah Pawliw, he said helping out in the food bank made him feel like one of the “Santa elves.”

“I like helping other people, and I find this [box-taping] like a sport, so I take it competitively,” he said. “It’s really fun.”

Knowing not everyone will have a happy holiday season, he feels “super grateful” to spend another Christmas with his family.

“I like seeing all my family, and I like seeing people smile. I like the snow on the decorations. Waking up on Christmas morning, seeing all the presents and all that stuff, that’s fun,” Pawliw said.

As a big gaming fan, Elijah Pawliw said he wanted a new computer monitor or headphones for Christmas.(Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

(Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

When asked if they believed Santa Claus was real, one of the Christmas elves, Parker Weber, said he did.

“ I just believe it because I don’t know why my parents would wake up at three in the morning and the presents would be in front of the tree,” he said.

“Thank you for all the presents and for eating all my milk and cookies,” Weber said when asked if there was anything he wanted to say to Santa.

Parker Weber said he wanted a new hockey stick for Christmas.(Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

Dan Fox during the box-tapping session at the Battlefords food bank. He is a liaison worker at Battleford Central School and St. Vital Catholic School. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

Dan Fox, a liaison worker at Battleford Central School and St. Vital Catholic School, pointed out that this winter has marked the 12th year partnership they have with the food bank, saying it is a long-standing tradition for them and students always look forward to it.

“I’ve always put a premium on trying to forge good citizens as I want them to recognize that we’re part of a community,” Fox said.

“When there are those less fortunate than yourselves. When there’s an opportunity to help and do a good deed, you jump at that opportunity.”

He went on to point out that the food banks have always helped students in many ways, from the Backpack program for students who struggle with food at home on the weekends to the lunch and breakfast program at school. He believes it is always important for them to give back.

“It’s not about what you get, and it’s about what you give and what you can do for others. So, these kids are just the embodiment of that.”

The food hampers will be distributed on Dec. 23.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com