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Santas Anonymous kicks off campaign with haunted house

PHOTO. Supplied. Stephen Pedersen and Jeff Breen stand outside the Merc Massacre in support of Santas Anonymous.

Santas Anonymous successfully kicked off its campaign season with the Merc Massacre over Halloween.

The three day event hosted at Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School raised over $6,200.

Calle Inkster, one of the team leaders for the haunted house said that all of the proceeds from this year’s event will go towards building hampers for families in need over the holidays.

Last year the group put together 530 hampers, which are put together by students and volunteers and include toys and other gifts for various age groups.

Inkster has been involved with Santas Anonymous for six years.

“I chose to get involved because I care and believe that every family deserves to have a memorable Christmas.”

The haunted house was brought to life on the school’s stage by Stephen Pedersen, who started building haunted houses in his garage four years ago, along with Jeff Breen.

Pedersen said the haunted house took about five days to set up, with help from Herc Rentals who supplied things like concrete vibrators which were put into the flooring.

When asked why he took on the project, Pedersen said it’s for the kids.

“To know what that money is going to go to in the end, that’s what really makes it worth it. It puts a little bit of magic back into Christmas.”

He added that it’s also about the kids going through the haunted house and the kids who helped put it all together.

Pedersen guessed that roughly 1500 people attended the event over the three days.

Local vendors will be set up at the school on Nov. 16 for the Christmas Market, followed by the Oil Barons Teddy Toss at the Casman Centre on Nov. 29.

Other upcoming events in support of Santas Anonymous include the Red Green Cup at the Casman Centre on Dec. 5 and the Pancake Breakfast at Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School on Dec. 12.

The Miracle Marathon will be held at all three Save on Foods locations in town from Dec. 13 to Dec. 15, along with Santa Shop Local which will include great shopping deals at many local businesses.