Ponderay celebrates Santa Sack success
EVIE SEABERG | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years AGO
Santa and his elves took a ride on a trolley hauled by a Ponderay Police Department vehicle to deliver gifts Saturday as part of the city of Ponderay's Santa Sack project.
(Courtesy photo from the city of Ponderay))
I graduated from California Baptist University in April 2021 and was ready for a change of scenery, which is what brought me to North Idaho. Currently, I’m enjoying being newly married. My husband and I spend our weekends huckleberry picking, working on home improvement projects, taking my husky Judah on walks, spoiling our kitten Opal, and making plans to travel while we earn the means to do so. I love hanging out with family, studying indigenous arts and culture, going on outdoor adventures and creating wood-burning projects. I’m also always down for a casual debate about anything from philosophy and politics to the best local coffee shops. My childhood was filled with dreams of working in almost every field — archeologist, architect, writer, historian, aviator and mathematician were just a few titles I hoped to hold one day. After my first semester in college, I found myself wondering how choosing a major was ever going to be in the cards for me. But, with a little help from friends and family, I realized that the title of “journalist” is a good title for someone who is interested in a little bit of everything. When you can’t be everything, you can always write about everything. | December 23, 2023 1:00 AM
PONDERAY — A trolley filled with toys for good girls and boys took a tour around Ponderay last week.
“The trolley, pulled by Ponderay's finest, towed Santa, Mrs. Claus and his elves around Ponderay on Saturday as part of the city's annual Santa Sack project,” KayLeigh Miller, Ponderay planning director, said.
For the 20th year in a row, the city collected donations from the community to encourage others.
This year, in addition to community donations, the event was partially funded by a Walmart Community Grant of $4,000, Miller said. The city was able to deliver 550 gift bags — 200 were boy bags, 200 were girl bags, 100 were senior bags and 50 were baby bags. Each pack was filled with necessary items as well as toys, activities, and treats. Some included gingerbread houses or cookie kits. The bags were then transported by Santa on a cart, or “trolley” hauled by a Ponderay Police vehicle.
“[We] spend the day driving up and down the streets of Ponderay, with Christmas music playing and watch as excited children run out to the streets to take photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves, and of course collect their special gift,” Miller said.
This event also serves children in Kootenai, as the trolley visits Kootenai Elementary and its other stops. Bags for seniors were delivered straight to their doors throughout the community.
“We are so grateful that the city and the community come together each year to fund the amazing community event,” Miller said. “This event is one of our favorite and most rewarding to host. It is truly an honor to be a part of something that is so special that brings so much joy to the community.”
ARTICLES BY EVIE SEABERG
City to consider Blackrock presentation, change orders
A presentation on a cleanup plan for the Panhandle Smelting and Refining Company Site will be given at Thursday’s Sandpoint City Council meeting.
Sandpoint mayor cancels remote comments
Commenting on the city's public meetings remotely will no longer be permitted as of the June 5 council meeting. This decision was made by Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm after “disturbing” comments were made by remote commenters at the May 15 meeting regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. That meeting marks the second occurrence of such comments since last fall.
Idahope Families celebrates local resources
Keeping children safe and families together — that’s the mission of local organization Idahope Families.