How did Santas Anonymous start?
First off I'm
'deeply honoured' to be one of the sons of the man who started Santas Anonymous - but over the years I do have to remind people who ask that
"I was rather young OR not arround" for most of the development of Santas!
I was just four years old in 1954 when the program started in the old CHED building on 107th avenue in downtown Edmonton but I will try to put together some history from some of the conversations with Dad over the years.
Early On...
The 'staff' put it together and collected 'around 300 toys' in the station in the early years.
It was rather easy to distribute that number early into the program but it was apparant over the years that they'd need more 'wheels on the ground' as Santas grew so I believe the Edmonton Hot Rod club helped out for a number of years in the late 1950's.
As CHED grew in to one of the most dominant radio stations in town over the 1960's and 70's Santas Anonymous grew along with it - and today more than
25,000 toys are distributed at Christmas time in Edmonton.
Our family broke up in 1961when Mom and Dad divorced and we moved to Toronto so I was out of touch over the Christmas period until I returned to Edmonton in 1967.
For three years in the late 60's, while attending school, I finally got to see first hand the amazing growth and affect of Santas Anonymous in Edmonton.
What was once a few days a year event now was year round gigantic project.
Toys needed to be 'stored' from listeners and businesses that donated; there was a huge expense now for wrapping paper; scotch tape; cards; etc - and as Edmonton always does people stepped up and 'donated' either money or their time to help out.
In the 1970's when CHED was at it's peak it was obvious that some almost 'full time' attention needed to be paid to the program simply to keep up to demand so an amazing gentleman by the name of
Gary Draeger became "Santas helper" in the building along with a strong support group from several other CHED employees - too many to list off in this space but believe me 'respected' for their contribution.
Gary, who passed away a few years ago, was one of the most creative
(and funny) guys I'd ever met in my life....and 'warm beyond belief.'
Each and every year Gary would co-ordinate drivers, volunteers, staff, with military provision so as to ensure that Dad's mandate of "
wouldn't it be nice if every child in Edmonton had a present at Christmas" was confirmed
.
Whether it was 30 below - or in a blinding snowstorm - Gary would be there 'start to finish' to organise Santas Anonymous over and above his full time responsibilities in the Creative Department.
I'd visit Santas every year and it always overwhelmed me seeing cars lined up around the block; Grandpa/Grandma, Dads/Mom's and 'tiny children' bundled up and huddled together waiting in line to do their duty and Gary directing traffic in and around the station.
Year after year the line got bigger - and hearing the common line of "
this makes our family Christmas" is my seasonal reward.
Another CHED gent deserving recognition is Daryl Hooke - who for '35 years' has been involved in one manner or another in the cause. He has a heart as big as downtown Edmonton - and 'highly' creative. The wonderful signature picture of Dad, above, is his fine work as well!
"A Creature was Stirring"
If Santas Anonymous wasn't popular enough at the time a recording that Dad did in tribute to the many volunteers who help out each year set it over the top.
A Creature was Stirring is one of those magic pieces that has endured over time and is just as effective the one hundredth time you hear it as the first time it "hits you trip hammer hard"
(Gawd I'd love to know how he thought up that line!).
Legendary announcer
Bob McCord 'produced' the piece and it was scheduled to air for the first time the next morning on the
Wes Montgomery morning show. Dad, to set it up, phoned Wes to 'warn him' it may have some effect on him.
Wes' reply, I will never forget, was "
Ah Jer - give it up - I've listened to Bryan Hall - what could be tougher?"
Wes played the piece and the phones lit up.
When things calmed down Wes called Dad back with 'tears in his eyes and a very sincere pitch in his tone' telling Dad how hard it had hit him. He didn't chat for several songs after it was played on the radio.
I salute 630 CHED because they continue to play the piece to this day every year to this day and I believe it is one of the longest running pieces in Canadian radio history.
"
Mommie is that Jesus?" will remain in my skull for life... as it does for many others.
The Jerry Forbes Centre
After Gary sadly passed away the keys to the storage area of the CHED building was handed over to a rather brilliant lady by the name of Debbie Walker and Debbie credits both Daryl Hooke and Wendy Batty, of the Christmas Bureau, of being the ones with the original 'dream' of having a home for Santas Anonymous and she credits them with being her 'inspiration.'
Debbie was given the task of running Santas Anonymous at a time when consolodation was happening in the radio business and CHED was growing into a 'cluster' of stations that included JOE FM
(which I launched for Maclean-Hunter in 1981 as a touch of family irony) - CHQT - and CISN FM.
And the station moved from downtown out to the south east end on Roper Road to accomodate this growth.
As the stations began creeping into the storage area it was obvious that they would have to find a new place for Santas toys. Over the years the program was moved several times, each with different challenges, some as basic as 'heat' and costs became a huge problem alone with each move.
So - Debbie was issued the challenge -
"find a new home for Santas Anonymous" - which may sound as easy as 'renting' another building, however as Debbie formed her team to support her during the process it was obvious that 'something much bigger' was under foot.
Most progressive things in Edmonton go through a filter system with dynamic people who get things done in our city.
Dr. Bob Westbury is one of them.
Mayor Steven Mandell is another. MLA
Dave Hancock,
Anne Smith from the United Way, etc.
During each visit with Debbie, and often with
Gord Whitehead and I in tow, wouldd outline the plans - and before we left their offices each of these folks threw in a
'what if....' thought and improved the plan so largely that a 'simple warehouse' is now going to be a $21 million dollar "centre for community spirit."
(the land is located at the corner of Roper Road/50th street)
To simplify. The back part of the building will be used to securely store all of Santas Anonymous needs; but the front of the building will house 'around' 20 community groups who will enjoy the synery of the operation as well as benefit from huge cost savings from the under one roof concept.
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Summary:
It's incredibly hard in a short space to chronicle the amazing story of
Santas Anonymous and there are 'thousand and thosuands' of people who have played a part in its development over the years. Big or small 'any' contribution to the success of the program benefits children in Edmonton in some way, which gives me and everybody in our family great pride.
To have something as amazing as the Jerry Forbes Centre for Community Spirit named after Dad, who passed away in 1981, is something that is beyond description.
To hear a story from people I meet on the streets after all these years chronicling their association with the program has a great effect on me - and a gentle reminder that "little things grow into big things" when you plant the proper seeds.
My children never got to meet their Grandfather, for which I'm so sincerely sorry, however each time they hear A Creature was Stirring - and each time they hear "
are you related to...." - their sense of pride also takes a big surge!
My father was a very unique and talented man - and I carry his name with immense pride - and not for just creating a 'great' radio station and legacy - but for being the spirit behind the greatest gift giving program in ALL of Canadian Radio - Santas Anonymous!
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*For full information on the Jerry Forbes Centre please contact:
debbie@jerryforbescentre.ca - 780 440 6300
