Kelowna Santas: Making the Holidays Brighter for Hundreds of Families

The ATB Wealth Community Spotlight brought holiday joy as Alexa Anderson of KelownaNow and Indy Brar from Kelowna Toyota detailed the Kelowna Santas initiative. Now in its 12th year, Kelowna Santas helps families facing tough financial decisions during the holidays.

"Kelowna Santas began when Nikki and Jim Csek saw families forced to choose between necessities and holiday gifts," Alexa explained. "We aim to put at least one gift under the tree for children aged 0 to 17."

For the past five years, Kelowna Toyota has been a cornerstone sponsor. Indy expressed that Christmas is magical for children. Even a small gift can bring immense joy. Reflecting on his experiences delivering gifts, he added, “Seeing their smiles is unforgettable.”

This year, Kelowna Santas aims to help 300 families but faces challenges. "The economy has tightened donations, and businesses can’t always give as they have in the past," Alexa noted.

Despite this, TD Bank has generously donated $5,000, and Kelowna Toyota has become a central hub for donations and has been giving donations for 5 years now.

Alexa highlighted the importance of community involvement. She explains that Kelowna Santas is still in need of gifts, especially for boys aged 8 to 17.

Gift cards, tech gadgets, and sports equipment are excellent choices. The highlight of the program is the wrap party and delivery day, described by Alexa as “a whirlwind of holiday cheer and teamwork.” Families receive thoughtfully wrapped gifts, delivered by dedicated volunteers.

The interview wrapped up with a lighthearted Christmas trivia game that showcased the festive spirit of the participants.

Indy Brar’s quick answers—such as correctly identifying the gifts of the Three Wise Men—earned him the unofficial title of trivia champion, much to Alexa Anderson’s playful frustration.

“I always start strong, and then it just falls apart!” Alexa laughed after a few tricky questions, like naming Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol.

The banter, jokes, and shared laughter captured the essence of the season: good-natured fun and camaraderie.

“It’s all in the spirit of the holidays,” Rob Capello, the host, concluded. "We’re here to spread cheer, support the community, and remind everyone of the importance of giving back."

To learn more or donate, visit Kelowna Santas or Kelowna Toyota before the December 13 deadline. This holiday season, a little generosity can make a world of difference.