West Edmonton Mall was a hive of activity Saturday, but not because of Christmas shoppers. Santa and the Grinch were on scene, along with dozens of families and Edmonton Police Service members.
“Police are partnered with a number of families from the Bent Arrow Society. Families identified as people in need or have certain challenges for the holiday season. We're just trying to make that holiday season a little bit brighter for them,” said Deputy Chief Devin Laforce.
The morning began with a beautiful breakfast before children learned of a Christmas caper. Their mission: find Santa who had been kidnapped by the Grinch. The young sleuths searched for clues around the mall while picking up gifts at six different stores.
“The kids are just beaming ear to ear,” said Laforce while helping his teammates look for clues.
Operation Find Santa was organized by the Edmonton Police Foundation.
For many of the families, the event was a much-needed break from reality.
“I was actually in a domestic and family violence program, and that's how I actually heard about this event,” said Jordanna Houle. “People in my situation, we kind of feel like outcasts. But it's good to know that events like these bring us all together and that we're not alone in it.”
In the end, the caper was solved. Santa was saved. The families went home with plenty of presents to put under the tree, and everyone left with a little Christmas cheer.
EPS police cadet Samuel Ritchie summed up the true meaning of the day when he said: “It was so human and like real. It hit me right here in the heart. I absolutely loved it.”