Saskatchewan Roughriders pass-catcher Mitch Picton enjoyed quite a reception.
He and placekicker Brett Lauther were the CFL team’s player representatives at Wednesday’s Inner-City Kids’ Christmas Luncheon, which enhanced the festive season for an estimated 600 Regina youngsters and volunteers at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Conference Centre.
“The kids were excited when they saw Brett and I,” Picton said. “Then Gainer walked in, and Brett and I were kind of in the shadows.
“Gainer’s more famous than Brett and I.”
The celebrities shared headliner status with the kids from Sacred Heart Community School and Albert Community School.
“I wanted them to understand that they are the VIPs today,” said Laura Armitage, the DoubleTree’s General Manager.
One of those VIPs heard and appreciated the message, along with the entire event.
“It was really cool,” said Trinity Fesser, a Grade 8 student at Sacred Heart.
“It reminds me of last year, which was also super-fun. Last year, I ate lots of ice cream — so much that my stomach hurt.”
As a contrast, there were the warm hearts of everyone involved — including volunteers from the Roughriders, Regina Pats, Regina Thunder, Regina Police Service, Regina Fire and Protective Services and STARS Air Ambulance.
“It’s all about serving the community,” said former Pats star Frank Kovacs, who was part of a sizeable RPS contingent. “The RPS, the fire department and all the other volunteers are here to spread some Christmas cheer and ensure that the kids have a good Christmas. It’s nice to spend this time together and celebrate what the Christmas season is all about.
“It’s something we look forward to every year. It’s nice to see Santa Claus and all the kids’ smiles.”
The guests of honour, from the two community schools, packed a large ballroom at the DoubleTree.
“It’s nice to see all these people here and everyone having fun,” said Fesser, 13. “I’m happy to be here on this day.
“I’m happy to see the mayor of our city here. It makes us feel special.”
Not to be forgotten was the unofficial mayor of Parkbeg, Sask.
“I got to meet Gainer the Gopher and that was really cool,” Fesser said. “I got a hug from him, too.”
DoubleTree has embraced the event for 29 years … and counting.
During the years in which COVID-19 prevented people from being able to gather in large (or even modest) numbers, sandwiches and boxed lunches were delivered to the two schools that have traditionally been invited to the luncheon.
“So many people and groups come together to execute this and that is what we’re celebrating,” Armitage said. “It’s not about us at the DoubleTree. It’s about a whole community initiative.”
Sponsors such as Gordon Food Service, Pacific Fresh Fish and Centennial Foodservice made invaluable contributions as several hundred meals were distributed over noon-hour.
As for the accompanying buzz in the air, it was unquantifiable, yet unmistakeable.
“It’s hard to explain in a story or in a still photo,” Armitage said. “Unless you’re actually there, you can’t feel the energy and you can’t feel the magic that happens in that room.”
Picton can attest to that you-have-to-be-there feeling.
“It’s fantastic,” he said with a smile. “I had no idea what to expect when they first asked me to come out.
“Seeing all the kids and how happy and excited they are around the holiday season, it’s pretty special. It’s great to be out here.”
Gainer, Lauther and Picton were on a lengthy list of volunteers that also included Roughriders colleagues Karina Peterson (Community Operations Co-ordinator), Arielle Zerr (Director, Communications), Thomas Judek (Communications Co-ordinator), Rebecca Perigny (Manager, Marketing and Community), Neetika Mahawar (Marketing Co-ordinator, Ticketing) and Blake Tiedeman (Digital Media Producer).
They were among the dozens of people who served turkey dinners.
“The kids get to come to this amazing ballroom and have this beautiful, plated served dinner,” Sacred Heart Vice-Principal Lindsay Morhart said.
“For a lot of our kids, this isn’t a reality — sitting down with a big family and having a turkey and everything that goes along with that. It’s just an opportunity for them to come and enjoy a really nice Christmas meal.”
Plus some heaping helpings of good cheer.
“At the end of the day, our kids feel loved,” Morhart said. “They feel special. They feel like, ‘Oh, wow! There’s all these people we don’t know who are doing this for us.
“It’s like a good feeling in the bottom of your heart.”
That was the vibe from the start of the Christmas season.
“I cannot thank the DoubleTree and all of the volunteers enough, because our kids look forward to this so much,” Morhart said.
“At the beginning of December, they said, ‘Mrs. Morhart, are we going to the DoubleTree this year?’ I said, ‘Yes, we are,’ and their faces just lit up.
“If kids have been in our building, they know that this is a super-special day. Some of them have dressed up. They’re wearing ties and they’re wearing fancy dresses, because they know they’re going to this beautiful restaurant.
“The fact that the DoubleTree and all these community organizations do this for kids who they don’t know, it’s just so amazing, because this is what Christmas should be about — giving, seeing the wonder and awe in the kids’ eyes, and them feeling like, ‘Hey, people love me.’ ”
Unavoidably, Christmas can also be about last-minute shopping and navigating the logistical challenges that can be presented as Dec. 25 nears.
“At this time of year, everyone’s racing around and a lot can happen,” Armitage said, “so it’s nice to be able to stop and enjoy these Hallmark movie moments.”
