Proceeds from a new children’s picture book titled Island Santa, illustrated by local artist Sheena Lott and written by Sheryl McFarlane, are going to support a local foundation.
Lott, an award-winning North Saanich-based artist, and McFarlane won’t accept any royalties from the sale of Island Santa and all the proceeds will go to Jeneece Place and the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island.
The book pays tribute to a former North Saanich resident, Kaare Norgaard, who used to annually transform his boat, the Blue Fjord, into a floating sleigh that delivered Christmas gifts to Island children who would otherwise have gone without.
More than two decades ago, Norgaard established the Norgaard Foundation which recently donated $1 million to the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island for Jeneece Place. Norgaard died in 2005.
The storyline of Island Santa follows a young boy, Sam, who wishes to spend the holidays by the side of his sister who is sick in hospital. Sam catches a ride on the Blue Fjord and gets a chance to become Santa’s helper and bring happiness to other children before he reaches his own family in the city.
All the families who stay at Jeneece Place this holiday season will be given a copy.
The book, which sells for $19.95, is now available at Tanner’s Books is Sidney as well as Munro’s Books, Chapters Books and Bolen Books, along with many others.
More information on the book as well as a full list of stores where the book is stocked is available at childrenshealthvi.org.