Offer free food, and they will come.
That may not always be the case, but it was true for the third annual Christmas Wish Breakfast on Sunday. Red Deerians flocked to the Black Knight Inn and earned free eggs and bacon in exchange for a new, unwrapped toy for Central Alberta children.
The number of people in attendance, despite of cold, icy weather conditions, surpassed last year’s count by about halfway into the morning. Last year’s attendance was about 700 people.
The event is special to all those involved, but holds a special place for breakfast chairwoman Lynn Van Laar, who wants to ensure every child has a present to open on Christmas morning.
“When I was young, my mom had to tell me on some years that there wasn’t any money for Christmas, so I know what that feeling is like, and I don’t want kids or parents to have to go through that.”
She said the community comes together to put on the holiday event – from sponsors, to volunteers, including local firefighters.
This year, the Red Deer Firefighters Children’s Charity donated about $5,500 for toys.
Mark Stadnick, a medic with Red Deer Emergency Services, said the charity raises funds throughout the year and supports the Christmas Wish Breakfast – a prominent event for the charity.
“It’s a key event. We are involved in a handful of community events throughout the year, but this is a big event for us,” he said, adding that the charity will continue to support it in the future.
All the toys collected are donated to the Red Deer Salvation Army and Red Deer Christmas Bureau.
mamta.lulla@reddeeradvocate.com
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