Surpassing expectations
The Sleeping Bag Project raises funds for 500 sleeping bags
Rachel Peters was home, warm and safe, during a late December snowstorm last year.
But she knew not everyone was as lucky.
Peters had just volunteered with Santa’s Angels on Christmas morning delivering toys and food to Charlottetown children who could use them. She knew there were kids in the same storm but with no heat or electricity.
Thinking back to a sleeping bag she got as a Christmas gift one year, Peters decided to collect these items for children in Charlottetown.
And that was the start of the Sleeping Bag Project.
Peters launched the project on Nov. 2 with the goal of collecting enough money for 500 bags.
By the next day, she had raised over $8,000.
By Nov. 5, she had raised enough money for her goal of 500.
Now, kids under 16 years of age will have their own place to stay warm.
“It breaks your heart, instantly. Instantly. It’s a very emotional day.” Rachel Peters
“That would be a safe, cozy space for them to sleep in at the end of the day, or even keep warm at during the day.”
Canadian Tire is supplying the bags at cost, and they’ll be handed out on Christmas morning with the Santa’s Angels hampers.
Peters started volunteering with Santa’s Angels four years ago. Now her whole family spends Christmas morning delivering gifts around Charlottetown as one of the teams — basically a support crew for one of the Santas who knocks on doors and delivers gifts.
This year, the Angels are focusing on a family care package full of necessities, plus the usual food and a visit with Santa.
Even after four Christmases, Peters finds it tough to see the poverty.
“It breaks your heart, instantly. Instantly. It’s a very emotional day.”
Kenny Zakem could be called “the Santa whisperer.” He’s the organizer behind Santa’s Angels. In 2004 he had some extra toys from a benefit at his restaurant. So, along with a friend dressed as Santa, he just knocked on a few doors Christmas morning.
They started in a small apartment building and were there for almost three hours, taking their time with everyone.
By noon they were exhausted and had to get home to family, but wanted to keep it going.
“We got all hyped up and we said, ‘You know what? Next year, we’re gonna get some more volunteers and more Santas and make it larger and bigger and better.’ And that’s basically how it grew.”
Tommy Corrigan — Santa to his friends — was one of four Santas on board the next year.
He’s been with them ever since.
Corrigan starts growing his beard on his birthday, Sept. 12, in preparation for the Christmas season.
Real beards are important, said Zakem.
“They’ll go up to him, ‘You’re not the real…Oh! You are the real Santa!’ They’ll pull his beard.
“Half the thing is the Santa visit,” said Zakem, noting parents often tell him their children don’t remember the gifts as well they remember that Santa came to their house.
“And that’s what makes us different … a visit from Santa on Christmas Day.”
Zakem and Corrigan would love to help groups in other areas do the same thing.
“One Santa Claus is all it takes,” said Corrigan.
Starting Nov. 13, santasangels.ca and the phone line 200HOHO will be open to nominate families for the visit, the gifts, the hamper and the sleeping bags.
“Poverty is something that’s happening here and it’s something that needs to be worked on and I’m just doing my part to help with that,” said Peters.