Chamber Dessert Auction Raises Money For Project Santa

 Chamber Dessert Auction Draws Families Out For A Delicious Evening 

The 4th Annual Chamber Dessert Auction & Community Potluck Was Also A Celebration Of The Success Of Project Santa

Thursday April 23rd

The Chamber of Commerce dessert auction raised $1,762 from desserts and Project Santa baskets. Of that total, $1,167  will go directly to Project Santa, to give the program's coordinator, Shilah Butler, a start in buying ahead of next fall's family distributions.

Now in its 21st year, Project Santa has grown from a basic local Christmas food-and-gift drive into a year-round effort to help local families. It now provides clothing and supplies to families in the entire Copper River Region. 

In 2013, when it first began expanding, it provided gifts and clothing to 141 children in 52 families.

Last year, in 2025, It helped 225 kids in 84 families, as well as "families affected by a total-loss house fire and families with newly placed foster children," according to Shilah's newsletter.   

Project Santa depends heavily on community donations as well as the generosity of local businesses and organizations.

Project Santa Faces New Challenges After Cold Weather Destroyed The Building It Was Using In Glennallen

Last winter, just after the cold snap ended, the frozen pipes thawed in the building at the former Bible College, where clothing and supplies were kept. Water rushed out of the pipes  that burst in the ceiling. Many items of clothing and supplies were rescued, thanks to a middle of the night effort by local community members who rushed to the scene.

However, this still leaves the question of finding a way of running the effort this fall, and where to store everything in a centralized location. 

If you have any ideas, or would like to donate to this project,  you should contact Shilah Butler at 907-259-7924.