Runners get ready to Shuffle

Annual Salvation Army event raises thousands for needy families and individuals

By Robert White and ChristianWeek | November 1, 2011

From St. John's, Newfoundland to Vancouver Island more than 10,000 runners will lace up their shoes to help the poor in this year's Santa Shuffle.

The Saturday, December 3 event includes a five-kilometre family run along with a one-kilometre "elf walk." Runners collect pledges - the funds raised go to support Salvation Army programs across Canada during the Christmas season and throughout the year, providing much-needed support to the vulnerable and marginalized, allowing for the provision of hope and the restoration of dignity.

The Santa Shuffle started in 1991 as a local event with a few hundred participants, and went national in 2001. Last year close to 9,000 participants across the country raised about $500,000.

"It's inspiring to see the spirit of Christmas and the generosity of Canadians," says Graham Moore, territorial secretary for public relations and development for The Salvation Army. "Proceeds will help restore hope and dignity to women and children in crisis, feed and provide shelter for the homeless and help make Christmas a possibility for those in need."

Proceeds from the Santa Shuffle help vulnerable children and families living in poverty. The Army often tends to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for those who have lost control of their lives to an addiction.

Karen Allington, a member of a Salvation Army congregation in Oshawa, Ontario, is training for her second Santa Shuffle.

"I just took up running last spring and thought it was a good goal to set for myself," says Allington of her first five-kilometre run in 2010. "There's a history of heart disease on both sides of my family and I thought it was about time to get in shape and set a good example for my kids."

Allington was part of a team of eight from The Salvation Army's Oshawa Temple that raised between $1,200 to $1,500 last year. This year's team is larger - there are 12 running - and Allington hopes to improve on her time of 33 minutes and 32 seconds.

"I'd like to be under 30 minutes," she says. "Here's hoping."

Taking place in 38 communities across the country, the fundraising component of the Santa Shuffle is coordinated by the Running Room, which coordinates the event. Teams register with local Running Room stores - in Allington's case, the one in neighbouring Whitby - which provides sends out an e-mail to the participants' contacts. The pre-written e-mail provides the whys and wherefores of sponsoring a team or team member. Online pledges go through, securely, to The Salvation Army.

An international Christian organization, The Salvation Army began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country.

Today in Canada the Salvation Army has 877 active clergy, close to 62,000 congregants who attend 311 churches and more than 330 social-service institutions of various kinds. As well as the many thousands of volunteers, The Salvation Army employs more than 10,000 people; 55 pastors and lay staff serve overseas in countries from Papua New Guinea to South Africa.

For more information or to register for the 2011 Santa Shuffle, visit www.santashuffle.com.