Now in its 18th year, The Salvation Army’s Santa Shuffle (
SantaShuffle.com) is for many an annual family event. In true Canadian fashion, runners, walkers and volunteers brave whatever weather the December morning brings to help raise funds that invest in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in our communities. Money raised through sponsorship and pledges help fund Salvation Army’s programs and services throughout the year. This year's event will take place on Saturday, December 6.
Just like Santa, we take on big challenges. The gifts we give to vulnerable people include affordable housing, anti-poverty initiatives, elderly assistance, hospice care and addiction recovery programs.
In 35 cities across the nation, Santa Shuffle runners enjoy the last race of the season with a frosty 5 kilometre Family Fun Run and 1 kilometre Elf Walk. Participants collect pledges for this event and the proceeds help women and children in crisis, feed and provide shelter for the homeless and help make Christmas a possibility for those in need.
The Santa Shuffle began in 1990 in Edmonton, Alta., when the local office partnered with The Running Room. By 2007, the Santa Shuffle had grown to include Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Calgary, Edmonton, Fredericton, Guelph, Halifax, Hamilton, Kelowna, Kingston, London, Mississauga, Moncton, Montreal, Nanaimo, Newmarket, Ottawa, Peterborough, Quebec City, Regina, Saint John, Sarnia, Saskatoon, St. John's, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Waterloo/Kitchener, Whitby and Winnipeg.
Santa Shuffle Facts
- In 2001, the year of the first national run, there were approximately 2,900 participants who raised almost $115,000
- In 2007, the event increased to almost 7,700 runners who raised more than $335,000. This represents a 259% increase in participation and a 292% increase in revenue
- Participants include family and corporate teams, as well as individual runners
Encourage your family and friends to participate in the 18th Santa Shuffle. Click
here to register.