More than 200 runners took off from a standing start on Saturday, Dec. 10, as part of 91原创 Salvation Army鈥檚 first-ever Santa Shuffle.

Amidst loud cheers from volunteers, Santa, friends and family, the participants started from Blacklock Fine Arts Elementary at 5100 206 St and covered long distances running or walking on a mapped-out route.

The event featured five and one km runs, and was organized by Salvation Army鈥檚 Willows Family Life Center. It also helped the local non-profit raise money for its community service work. The event was organized in collaboration with Running Room, a footwear company. Also in attendance were Councillor Leith White and Lions Club volunteers, who offered pancake breakfast post-run to participants and others present. People also enjoyed hot chocolate and coffee by Your Story Coffee, a Surrey-based mobile coffee bar.

Each participant also received a snowman medal from the Santa himself, and an event-themed T-shirt. The Salvation Army also gave scarves and gloves to those who helped them raise money.

For Umberto Soda, one of the participants, the event offered an opportunity to connect with the runners鈥� community and contribute his time and energy to a cause.

An active Surrey-based runner, Soda, covered 5 km dressed up in Santa costume, and came first. He said the cause, his passion for running, and support from the community kept him going and motivated throughout the run. He did encounter some deep puddles along the way, but overall, Soda said he loved the route.

鈥淚 love doing holiday runs, and this event was fun,鈥� he said. Glenna Owen, another active runner and long-time supporter of Salvation

Army鈥檚 Vancouver Santa Shuffle, said she was happy to finally have a Santa Shuffle closer to home. It was also her first time participating in a run after COVID.

鈥淸The run] is for a good cause, and that kept me going.鈥�

91原创 resident Barb Langham participated with her two friends from Surrey and Harrison Hot Springs.

She said her friends kept her motivated throughout the run.

Langham鈥檚 Surrey-based friend, Frances O鈥橤rady, said she was hesitant to participate due to the rain, but she loved it so much that she is considering returning next year.

For Jayne Fleming, coming all the way from Harrison was a 鈥渨orth it鈥� experience.

鈥淭he organization, the spirit, the medals, and arrangement鈥� everything was great,鈥� said Fleming. She, too, is considering returning next year.

The team at Salvation Army had been preparing for the event for months. Race director, and Salvation Army鈥檚 Susan Tanaka, said the event went 鈥渟eamlessly well.鈥�

The local organization is hoping to raise at least $20,000 for its holistic family programs in the 91原创 community. Tanaka said although the numbers aren鈥檛 out yet, she is confident that the organization will reach its goals.

She also reminded those who could not attend the run that they can still donate by contacting The Willows Family Life Centre at 604-510-2628.

Although other Salvation Army units around the country have been hosting Santa Shuffles for more than 20 years, the Saturday event marked the beginning of an annual tradition for the 91原创 unit.

鈥淔or a first time, it went very well. We can only go much greater from here. So, we are planning on making it an annual event,鈥� she concluded.

Tanaka further thanked staff, volunteers, attendees, and participants for their support.

鈥淚t is helpful to have a community of volunteers supporting us. Their support enables us to offer the programs and services that we do in the 91原创 community,鈥� said Tanaka.鈥濃�� also staff鈥� a dream team when it comes to organizing and putting on events for our Salvation Army Family Life Centre.

Sarah Macdonald, the community youth outreach worker at Willows Family Life centre, said the local event not only raised funds to help her team give back to the community but also awareness about the services of the centre.

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