Father Mercredi Community School staff and students have already kicked off our preparations for the 2026 Santas Anonymous campaign. This will be our 42nd year of giving to families in need during the holidays. There will be some changes coming to Santas Anonymous this year in the form of new and exciting fundraising events – keep an eye out for those!

The launch of the 2026 campaign will begin on November 6-7th with the Annual Family Christmas Market. The market will be held in the Father Mercredi Gymnasiums and will now be a 2 day event. November 6th (10am to 5pm) and November 7th (10am -3pm). We are excited to be hosting over 80 vendors and the Fun Zone for the children, where we may have some special visitors! Superior Propane will be on-site filling propane tanks for Santas.  All proceeds will be donated to Santas Anonymous. Please feel free to drop off a donation during this time.

We will have TWO Teddy Bear Toss events this year!  Our first is at the Jr Oil Barons game on Saturday, Nov 21, 2026 and just a week later at the Fort McMurray Oil Barons game on Saturday, Nov 28th, both happening at Centerfire Place. Please come and support our local hockey teams and Santas Anonymous by bringing a teddy bear to donate. We will also have teddy bears for sale in the main concourse before the game.    

New this year, the Keyano College Athletics Department has stepped in to support Santas Anonymous!  Together, we invite you to cheer on the Huskies Women’s Basketball game at 6 pm and the Men's Basketball game at 8 pm on Friday, November 27th. Admission for the games by donation of a new toy/book or donation to Santas Anonymous! 

This year, we would like to encourage a new “Getting Fit with Santas” week! We will be reaching out to the community to have different fitness classes such as bootcamp, yoga, or zumba, each evening that will be open to the public. The cost of attending will go toward filling our hampers. More information will be provided soon.

Please consider donating to our program or coming out to some of our events.

Our Goal:

Each year, we strive to provide families from both FMCSD & FMPSD with a Christmas dinner and gifts for each child in the family.  

How the Community Can Help:

• Organize Christmas parties where guests are encouraged to bring new toys for children (with a focus on ages 12-18) and/or make monetary donations in support of Santas Anonymous (for example: coat check, 50/50 draws, raffles, etc.).

• Drop off donations at Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School. Donations can include new toys for children and gifts for babies or seniors, as well as monetary donations.  

• Businesses and/or individuals can also volunteer to deliver hampers in groups of two on delivery day (December 18, 2026). 

  • Please contact the school in early December at (780) 799-5725 to volunteer or receive further information.

     

Support Upcoming Santas Anonymous Community Events:

• November 7-8th – Annual Christmas Market at Father Mercredi School

• November 14th - The Buddy Run starting at Doug Barnes Cabin at 9 am

• November 21st– Fort McMurray Oil Barons Teddy Bear Toss at Centrefire Place

• November 27th - Keyano Huskies Basketball Games: Women’s at 6 pm and Men’s at 8 pm

• November 28th– Second Annual Jr. Oil Barons Teddy Bear Toss at Centrefire Place

• December 14th to 17th – Packing Week

• December 18th – Delivery of Hampers

   

Christmas 2026 marks the 42nd year that Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School has organized the Santas Anonymous program in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this amazing campaign each year. 

Our community’s generosity is one of the key elements in this program’s success. We encourage everyone in our community to continue supporting this worthwhile program. We would not be able to do this without the kindness and big hearts of the local businesses, community members, and our students and staff of Father Mercredi Catholic School. Everyone works hard, year after year, to make this campaign successful!

Any questions or ideas, we would love to hear from you! Email: fmsantas@fmcsd.ab.ca