Every year, thousands of Canadians come together for the Santa Shuffle in support of The Salvation Army and to help raise money for vulnerable people in their communities. The 2022 Santa Shuffle was held across the country in December, seeing national participation in cities such as Edmonton; Abbotsford, B.C.; Ottawa; Thunder Bay, Ont.; St. John’s, N.L.; Moncton, N.B.; and Charlottetown.

Hosted by the Running Room in partnership with The Salvation Army, the Santa Shuffle invited participants to join a five-kilometre Fun Run for adults or one-kilometre Elf Walk for kids. At each site, shufflers were greeted by a registration and warming tent and a Running Room inflatable start/finish line arch. The event began with a warm-up by local fitness sponsors before racers approached the starting line.

“This was my first Santa Shuffle, and while it was freezing outside, the atmosphere was so warm and friendly,” says Katie Marshall, special events, initiatives and marketing specialist at territorial headquarters, who attended the Toronto race at Sunnybrook Park. “Many people came dressed in festive attire to participate in the best-dressed contest, and the kids were excited to get their faces painted and to see Santa, who was in attendance.” 

At First Lake Trail in Lower Sackville, N.S., more than 160 participants and 15 volunteers came together for the Santa Shuffle in partnership with The Salvation Army Encounter Church. Pre- and postrace festivities were offered at the corps with music, hot chocolate, snacks and Salvation Army mascots, Shieldy and Sally Ann. Participants enjoyed fellowship, a pre-race warm up and a five-kilometre run along the shore of First Lake. 

Funds raised from the Santa Shuffle stay in the community of each race. “Donations from our event are used to support the Army’s work with vulnerable children, youth and families in the North End community of Halifax,” says Major Terence Hale, executive director at the Halifax Centre of Hope and Santa Shuffle race director for Halifax.

With the Santa Shuffle taking place virtually in previous years due to pandemic restrictions, The Salvation Army was thrilled to return in-person for another fun, family-oriented and festive event in support of the Army’s local ministries.

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