January 23, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 18
Next edition February 6
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Saltwater Santas raise more than $24K for charity
A lone skater braves the frigid temperatures last week to practice his shooting skills on the outdoor rink in Bradley Estates. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO
By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star Tony Sullivan and Bob Presland, aka the Saltwater Santas, have done it again. The pair, along with Tony’s wife Jocelyne, have managed to raise another $24,316 for local charities through Sullivan’s Sugar Creek Way Christmas display bringing the grand total of funds raised over the past four years to over $85,000. Sullivan began collecting donations from motorists and passersby during the first weekend in December and was outside every night until Jan. 1. He was often joined by Presland and on the busier nights by a long list of helpers all of whom are in their 60s. Although the amount didn’t quite match the $28,000 they raised last year, it is still a whole lot of money that will be handed out to charitable organizations in Ottawa-Gatineau,
including right here in Orléans where the Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre received $2,500. “It just unbelievable how generous people are,” says Sullivan. “It really warms your heart.” As in past years, the Saltwater Santas handed out candy canes and small chocolates to anyone who made a donation. When all was said and done, they had gone through 70 bags of Costco chocolates that contain 300 pieces each. That’s a lot of chocolate. The vast majority of the donations were individual $5 bills. In fact, they collected over $9,000 in $5 bills alone, along with $10s and $20s and even the odd $100 bill. They also took in a pile of loonies and toonies which Jocelyne’s brother volunteered CONTINUED ON PAGE 2