durhamregion.com The Citizen December 21, 2017 3 So, we (created) a scavenger hunt, but it wasn't charitable at all. It was just, 'Go find an acorn and bring it back,'" says Bocking. "After three years of doing that, I was like, 'Instead of an acorn, what if it was a warm sweater or a teddy bear? Maybe we can make this mean something.'" Starting in October, they knock on doors to request monetary support from businesses. A team of volunteers then uses that money to purchase items based on Christmas wish lists obtained from families supported by Rose of Durham and Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre, both located in Oshawa. All the donations are gathered for the main event, the Holiday Hunt and Charity Evening, which was held this year on Dec. 9. The event brings people together to participate in a scavenger hunt while visiting some of the corporate sponsors who contributed to the cause. This year, they raised about $34,000 with contributions from more than 30 businesses. "The great news is that Durham Region is full of people and businesses who are looking for ways to help and support those who need it," says Bocking. "At a time of year that there are so many great organizations who need help, Dear Santa Durham and the families we're supporting this year are sincerely grateful." While they were only able to help a handful of families in the first couple of years, Dear Santa has grown tremendously since then. The total amount donated since 2012 is more than $92,000, benefitting about 100 families. As a special treat this year, Bocking's own staff at his company, HMA The Benefits People, decided to join the effort by making a sizeable donation to the cause on behalf of their clients. With the boost, Dear Santa was able to increase the number of families it helps to roughly an additional 18 this year. "I'm immensely proud of what we've decided to do as a company; it still puts a bit of a lump in my throat, honestly, that our staff got behind this," he says, adding that their eagerness to get on board and the ongoing support of the local community help reinforce the spirit of Dear Santa. "It comes from a place of feeling that everybody deserves to enjoy the magic that so many other people get to enjoy around the holiday time, and not that the magic is about presents -- that's not at all what it's about -- but the feeling of giving, and the feeling of being given to at a time that you need it." Sabrina byrneS / Metroland WHITBY -- Kerry Mount carried out a box of gifts at the Dear Santa Holiday Hunt and Charity Evening, at the Heydenshore Pavilion on Dec. 9. Spreading Christmas cheer throughout Brooklin From page 1 Sabrina byrneS / Metroland WHITBY -- Jaqueline and Peter Bocking, founders of Dear Santa, posed for a picture as they gathered together at the Dear Santa Holiday Hunt and Charity Evening, at the Heydenshore Pavilion on Dec. 9. Christmas in the Village JaSon liebregtS / Metroland BROOKLIN -- Noelle Pollard (top photo) was taking a closer look at the glowing lights during Christmas in the Village in Grass Park as area residents celebrated the spirit of the holiday season. Emmett Kay visited with Santa Claus (middle photo) during the festivities. Children (bottom picture) admired the ice sculptures.