Redcliff Scouts giving back to the community

Contributed by Philip Buisseret
Commentator/Courier Freelancer

The 1st Redcliff Scouts are true to their motto “Giving back to the Community.” On Saturday Dec.8 at the Baden Powell Centre in Redcliff, the scouts held their third annual “Santa’s Gone Toonie” fundraiser. The event is for kids to buy mom, dad, or grandparents a gift for $2.
All items are donated, and the kids pick out a gift helped by a scout and volunteers wrap the presents. Meanwhile the parents are in a different area enjoying homemade treats and refreshments so that the presents are truly a surprise on Christmas morning.
Tanya Schaeffer, the co-ordinator, and one of the leaders said that
“we are expecting up to 200 children this year and about 15 Redcliff Scouters of all ages assist,” said Tanya Schaeffer, the co-ordinator, and one of the leaders.
“The aim of the day is twofold. We want to give back to our community by letting the kids shop without breaking their piggy banks, and secondly it helps us to support programs in our organization. One-hundred per cent of the money stays in Redcliff. Last year we bought tents so the kids could go camping at Elkwater this winter. We are also planning a trip to Banff to go snowshoeing”.
There are around 40 Scouts in Redcliff, which have been active since 1917. There have been changes in the last few years but the pack is going strong with so many dedicated volunteers and this year there will be some surprised moms and dads opening gifts from under the tree, and of course excited kids too.