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Elves in Ontario Make Dreams Come True 81

Group of 'elves' in

Wallaceburg, Ont. make

children's Christmas

dreams come true

Volunteers rushed to area stores to
buy exactly what each child asked for

CBC

Kylee Labadie and her daughters started their
Saturday with a visit to Santa and ended it
almost in tears after a group of "elves" in
Wallaceburg, Ont. worked some Christmas
magic to make their wishes come true.
Forty children sat on St. Nick's lap and
read off their holiday wish list at the Knights of next few months approaching community enthusiasm are what makes the jolly old elf's
Pythias Hall. It's a tradition that plays out in members and businesses and asking them for belly shake like a bowl full of jelly.
cities and towns across Canada — but this time money. "Santa's laugh is total abandonment. He's filled
the ritual was a little different. The only problem was, he couldn't tell with joy," Kotowich told CBC Radio's
them what it was for. Afternoon Drive host Bob Steele.
Volunteers had a horse on standby "I told them a very vague story that I "He loves the season and the idea of
wanted to organize something special for kids people sharing, giving and caring for each other.
A woman wearing a knitted reindeer sweater but I couldn't tell them what it was … but it It just exudes from his entire body. It's this full-
with flashing lights sat at Santa's elbow, would be pretty cool," he explained. "These bellied laugh, his head is thrown back and his
diligently writing down every child's requests in people gave me money without knowing what entire body gets into that laugh."
detail. Then the list was whisked away to a they were giving it to." Kotowich, who is also the director of
group of volunteers spread out at Canadian Tire They managed to raise about $14,000 choirs at the University of Windsor spends time
and with some help from area business owners, during the holiday season teaching Santa's
locations and stores across the municipality who
found exactly what each kid wanted and quickly arranged for 25 volunteer "elves" to spend a subtleties to those wanting to don the red coat
wrapped it up. Saturday running around to make the miracle and black boots.
"We were prepared for Xboxes and iPads happen. His advice? Anyone can play Santa as
and iPhones, toy trucks, Barbie houses," said One person was even waiting outside long as their attitude's right.
local radio host Greg Hetherington, who helped Toys 'R' Us in Windsor. They were called on "It's the spirit of the season," he said.
organize the event. "We weren't sure if would when a toy couldn't be found anywhere in "It's about loving, caring and sharing and is that
get an ask for a real, live pony but we figured we Chatham-Kent. spirit with you? Is your ability to listen, to
better be ready for it — so we had a horse "That runner got it in Windsor, hit the initiate conversation, is that sincerity there?"
401 and made it to Canadian Tire in time for the He first started playing Santa as a student
ready."
After their children left Santa, each family to arrive," said Hetherington. "It was at the University of Manitoba. With a rich
parent was given a note telling them to pick up a priceless." baritone voice, six-feet frame and large, what he
gift bag at the Wallaceburg Canadian Tire, but He added he doubts he'll ever see calls, "prairie boy" figure, a friend thought he'd
when they arrived they "got a whole lot more," something like the Santa surprise happen ever be a perfect fit to play jolly ol' St. Nick.
said Hetherington. again. At first Kotowich was reluctant, thinking
"I see the ladies coming up the aisle with "It was pretty touching. There are some the role of Santa was beneath him. But once he
presents wrapped and I'm like 'No way, this isn't families that need help this time of year and we tried it, the role fit him perfectly.
happening,'" said Labadie. "Sure enough, when had all of these community members who were "Within two seconds of stepping onto the
willing to help," he explained. "They did it out set, just seeing the reaction from the parents and
we got up there I had to fight back my tears. The
moment was just, I'm even getting chills of their kindness of their heart … it's what we kids, I thought, 'How can you not?'" []
thinking about it, it was amazing." should do."
As her daughters five-year-old Nathalie
and four-year-old Amelie Roberge tore away the Beginning to feel a lot like

paper to find Shimmer and Shine and My
Littlest Pet Shop toys, they shrieked with Christmas
delight.
"I find it unbelievable," said Labadie. Hetherington said it will be a while before he'll
"Every person I saw I tell about it. It's definitely be able to pull the same stunt again.
a pay it forward kind of thing." "If I'm at a secret Santa event I think
She added her oldest daughter Jaidyn they'll be onto me," he joked, adding that all the
was watching the celebration and regretted leftover cash will support Christmas charity
skipping her chance to take a turn on Santa's lap drives in Chatham and Wallaceburg.
— even if 12 is a little old for that kind of thing. But the Christmas spirit he helped pass
along is still going strong in Labadie's house.
Miracle a year in the making "It definitely put the kids in the mood for
Christmas," she laughed. "Now they think Santa
The plan that led up to the holiday miracle was is coming next week." []
set in motion a year before when Hetherington 'Santa's laugh is total abandonment,' says
and a few of his friends started talking about professional Santa trainer
finding a way to make Christmas special. Where does Santa's laugh come from?
They settled on a strategy then swore If you ask professional Santa trainer
each other to secrecy. Hetherington spent the Bruce Kotowich, an overabundance of joy and