St. John's Community News

Eight people have been named to Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, including Santa's longtime stand-in, Bruce Templeton. Templeton, of Outer Cove, has been invested into the order for his decades of volunteer work, community leadership and humanitarianism — including more than 40 years of playing Santa — as well as published books and charity work.

Blood clinics take no days off — so when a lot of donors are taking Christmas holidays, life-threatening shortages can happen. In St. John's, the Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador stepped in to help.

While the rest of Canada wrapped up gifts and prepared for holiday feasts with family, Joe Russell from Corner Brook, N.L., tucked into Christmas dinner several time zones away from his wife and kids. He is one of dozens of highly trained Canadian firefighting personnel who responded to a call for help from their Australian counterparts fighting devastating fires across the country.

An N.L. charity co-founded by Great Big Sea's Alan Doyle has new partnerships — and new beneficiaries. A Dollar a Day on Monday announced the St. John's Regional Fire Department and a local firefighters' union have signed on with the foundation — co-founded by Doyle, Brendan Paddick, and Andrew Furey — which encourages daily $1 donations in support of mental health and addictions initiatives.

It's been a few years since Sheila Ryan became fed up with the hustle and bustle of the commercial Christmas rush. Now she's hoping for a holiday with less waste, less stress and less mess. "Enough of the stuff," she said. "We're bombarded with stuff. Our kids are bombarded with stuff."

Christmas is around the corner and the Joy household isn't shying away from the celebrations. A massive tree, stockings and lots of warm lights fill their home while three young children add to the explosion of happiness. "I think Christmas is a magical time to spend with the family and with friends. With elves. And with Santa," said Rianna, 9.