Christmas is a time for memories, for children and families, and for a community coming together to give and share. CFAX Santas Anonymous Society, serving Greater Victoria since 1977, will help 1,200 families enjoy a special Christmas experience this year. Together, we will create lasting memories through meaningful gifts, moments guaranteed to brighten the season for a local child.
Gifts: It’s the Parents’ Choice
To keep the magic and surprise of Christmas alive, we rely on parents to choose the gifts wished for by their children. Parents share these wishes with Santa’s volunteers and select a main gift from the Virtual Tree of Wishes, which features the newest and most popular items sourced by CFAX Santas Anonymous.
A second gift is chosen by volunteers in Santa’s workshop, based on the child’s interests and details provided by parents. These toys are lovingly donated across the community through shopping centre Trees of Wishes, toy drives, and drop-off locations.
The Food Hamper
When schools break for the holidays, critical meal programs pause for up to two weeks. To help bridge this gap, each family receives three thoughtfully packed bags of groceries, as well as a $150 local grocery gift card for fresh food, ensuring that children have enough to eat throughout the season.
400 Volunteers: The Heart of the Program
Each year, 400 volunteers come together to support the immense task of preparing and delivering 1,200 Christmas hampers. Local firefighters, public-facing volunteers staffing Trees of Wishes, workshop volunteers checking the lists twice, and our dedicated 14-member board all contribute to more than 10,000 volunteer hours annually across our Christmas and year-round programming. Their dedication is the foundation of Santas’ ability to serve the community.
Children’s Community and Special Grant Program
When holiday fundraising is especially successful and resources remain after Christmas, our year-round support program begins. Remaining toys and gifts become comfort boxes for local children and teens, those in hospital facing long-term illness, experiencing violence, or whose families are unable to provide a birthday gift.
When funds permit, our Special Grant Program provides crucial support to local organizations, schools, daycares, and food banks to reduce waitlists or fill service gaps. In 2025, CFAX Santas Anonymous distributed $70,000 in comfort gift boxes and $330,000 in special grants to strengthen the wellbeing of local children and families.
How the CFAX Santas Anonymous Hosted Fund Supports This Work
In 2013, the Cooper Cann Fund, named for our founders Mel Cooper and Marilyn Cann, was established through the Victoria Foundation to create a long-term legacy platform. The fund’s annual proceeds help support administrative staffing costs, allowing more donor dollars to directly serve children and families.
We are proud to share that the endowment has grown steadily thanks to the generosity of donors who believe in sustainable community impact. This growth has increased our stability and strengthened our ability to meet rising needs.
Our Relationship with the Victoria Foundation
The Victoria Foundation’s expert management and guidance have been invaluable. Their stewardship ensures the Cooper Cann Fund remains strong, transparent, and aligned with its purpose. With this partnership, we are confident that the fund will continue to generate the stability required for CFAX Santas Anonymous to flourish for decades to come, while preserving our treasured volunteer culture and small, efficient staff team.