Winter Wonderland well underway
For the 11th edition of Karonhiaráhstha’s Winter Wonderland, 21 trees are up for grabs, including this $12,000 cash prize tree put together to honour what would have been Karonhiaráhstha’s 12th birthday. Olivier Cadotte The Eastern Door
Every year, Karonhiaráhstha’s Winter Wonderland gets bigger and bigger, and with a full year to plan for their Playground venue, this year’s edition, the 11th, is looking like it will be the biggest one yet.
The event honouring the memory of Karonhiaráhstha Sky Junie Delisle, who tragically passed away as a baby in 2013, aims to raise money for scholarships to those who pursue medical education in the community.
“As someone from the Skye family, we are so grateful for everybody’s support. This is once again another amazing year, and every year it gets better and better,” said Lisa Skye, Karonhiaráhstha’s aunt and a board member for the Kateri Memorial Foundation (KMF), who organizes the Winter Wonderland.
Many organizations and businesses in Kahnawake have their own tree for Karonhiaráhstha’s Winter Wonderland, including this one from the Kahnawake Education Center that includes a trip to Universal Studios Florida, toys, and games. Olivier Cadotte The Eastern Door
“It’s just amazing how we all come together for this one cause, and the generosity is just over the top and overwhelming.”
There’s lots of new things this year, as the KMF had more time to plan with this venue in mind instead of having to switch last minute after last year, when the Knights of Columbus was unable to host.
That includes digital screens that show a live tally of money raised, multiple screens showing recipients of the scholarships being awarded their prizes, and the option of paying with credit or debit cards for tickets instead of being cash only.
Daily meals by Berrylicious are also being offered for sale in the venue, there are daily cash prizes, Golden Tickets are being sold, and the half-and-half is looking to shatter the $60,000 it gave away last year.
Every year, Kahnawà:ke Shakotiia’takéhnhas Community Services (KSCS) goes for a “family” themed tree for Karonhiaráhstha’s Winter Wonderland, with this year’s tree featuring a family vacation to Mont Tremblant as well as things to do as a family, like watch a movie on a new couch or build Lego. Olivier Cadotte The Eastern Door
Skye said that seeing is believing for how nice the setup at Playground’s Event Center looks in person, and she is right, with the 21 trees to win each bringing their own unique theme and twist to the traditional Winter Wonderland display that is worth seeing in person, even with an abundance of photos and videos available online.
That includes Kahnawà:ke Shakotiia’takéhnhas Community Services (KSCS)’s tree, which is made to look like a living room ready for the holidays, complete with things like a couch, coffee table, television, popcorn, movie tickets, family activities, and a trip to Mont Tremblant to boot.
“We hope that the winner is super happy,” said Lacey-Jo Canadian, KSCS’ executive assistant to the director of strategic development services, who was at the Winter Wonderland during a special preview event last Friday evening.
Canadian explained that KSCS always goes for a tree that would cater to a family, which is why they went for prizes that would be suitable for a family of four.
She said that she was very impressed with the rest of the trees, too.
Trudy Thomas (left), Anna Mae Rice (middle), and Donny Thomas (right) have been at the Tetewatatia’takéhnhahs booth to let people know about the cancer support organization’s Christmas ornament raffle, with the draw having taken place yesterday evening. Olivier Cadotte The Eastern Door
“I think the trees are excellent. As always, they’re all different. I think there’s something for everybody to be won, from children to families,” said Canadian.
Also at the Winter Wonderland is Tetewatatia’takéhnhahs, and while the cancer support organization does not have a tree, it does have a booth for its Christmas ornament raffle, the drawing of which was held on Thursday after The Eastern Door’s publishing deadline.
“The name Tetewatatia’takéhnhahs means we help each other, so by them donating, they’re helping us to help other people,” said Anna Mae Rice, who was at the booth with her sister Trudy Thomas and Trudy’s husband Donny Thomas during the preview event.
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Right next to their booth is the tree honouring the memories of Wayne Rice and his sister, Janice Two-Axe, who both passed away weeks apart in 2015.
“We’ll never forget them. And that’s why we do the tree, so then other people don’t forget them either,” said Anna Mae, Wayne’s wife.
The tree that honours them is always full of tools, a love the siblings shared when Wayne ran, and Two-Axe worked for, the Mohawk Bridge Consortium.
Visitors can go to Karonhiaráhstha’s Winter Wonderland until this Sunday, with winners of each tree being announced live on Facebook on Sunday evening.
