It is being reported in the Mississauga News that the Salvation Army has issued a warning to the residents of Mississauga regarding a door-to-door Santa Scam.
On Tuesday Nov. 17, 2009 complaints were received about a man dressed as Santa going door to door soliciting money donations for the church’s annual Christmas Holiday fund raising campaign. This man is NOT authorized to collect donations for the Salvation Army.
“It’s not good, is what it is,” said Capt. John Murray, who believes tough economic times are behind the scam.
“Desperate times, desperate measures … some (people) are trying to take advantage of people to put money into their own pockets,” he said.
It is important to remember that the Salvation Army does NOT go house to house. They do collect donations through a direct mail campaign, a Santa Schuffle Fun Run and the traditional Christmas Kettles located in Mississauga Malls and stores.
Donations are also accepted online at www.SalvationArmy.ca or at 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800 725-2769)
We at Mississauga Kids find this crime to be especially despicable. Santa comes to your door and asks you for money for a good cause in front of the kids and you have to turn him away. We suggest you say something like: “Santa it is lovely to see you and we will be delighted to make a donation to the Salvation Army but we are going to do it online this year, or at the kettle at the Mall when we’re shopping for Aunt Betsy! Say good night to Santa kids you know he is very busy and has other people to visit.” Then call Peel Region Police to report the incident.
If you are looking for places to see the real Santa in Mississauga this year please check our website www.MississaugaKids.com.
Christmas Traditions in Mississauga and around the world.
Our family has always celebrated Christmas. When I was a little girl we would go to a Christmas tree farm and bring home a tree and decorate it. My father would, under my mothers careful direction, make sure the tree stood straight in the stand. He would string the lights on the tree and my mother would fuss over the bulbs unscrewing them and rearranging them to ensure that there were not to many flashing bulbs in one area and that the colored bulbs were distributed in an esthetically pleasing way.
We would go to see go to sit on Santa’s lap much like Mississauga Kids go to sit on Santa’s Lap now. We would bring our carefully written out notes for him. We would promise to leave milk and cookies for him and carrots for his eight beautiful reindeer. He would carefully promise to do his best to bring us something we would like.
Christmas Eve we hung our stockings by the chimney with care and went to bed and tried to sleep. Do you remember how hard it was to fall asleep on Christmas Eve when you were little? Do you remember wondering if that bump or creak on the roof was Santa’s sleigh? When we finally fell asleep Santa and his elves would work their Christmas Magic.
Christmas morning there were presents from Santa under the tree and the stocking were filled with fun little treats and funny little prizes. The cookie plate was empty and the milk was drunk. The carrots were missing as well. Sometimes we’d find a few bits of carrot left over in the snow.
Here’s hoping Santa can make sure every child gets a little something special this year.
If you think you’d like to help him please click here! – Peel Region Police Toy Drive
Do you have holiday memories to share? Christmas , Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or others we’d love to have you post them below!
