Pictures with Santa returns to Van Roekel Holsteins

Pictured are the volunteers from the 2024 edition of Pictures on the Farm with Santa. Last year’s event raised over $13,000. (Contributed Photo)

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The eighth annual Pictures on the Farm with Santa event is back this weekend near Ingersoll.

On Sunday, Dec. 7, Van Roekel Holsteins near Ingersoll will once again be filled with laughter, activities for the kids, warm cookies, and of course, a chance to snap a photo with Santa himself. Every dollar raised goes directly to the London Children’s Hospital, helping families who need a little extra hope this season.

Organizer Crystal Van Roekel said this year’s event will be the eighth time they have invited the public to the farm for the festivities, an idea that came from sharing the ag world, along with raising money. She, along with her husband Jan and kids Jacob, Jolene and Peter.

“What can I do that integrates kids and families and learning about rural life while donating to a good cause? I had never seen Santa integrated with farm animals and kids getting pictures done. I thought it would be cool to have that with a horse and a calf beside them.”

Santa Ron, a well-known jolly old fellow, has been cast in the role each year.

“He’s been very kind in donating his time and being an advocate for what we have done all of these years. After every event, he says he’ll see us next year! To have his support has been great.”

$1,500 was raised the first time around, but Van Roekel figured it was time to step things up a notch to raise the bar.

“I started to bring in the businesses our farm works with on a daily basis and asked them if they’d be interested in donating. Now, we have raised over $35,000. Last year was our biggest with $13,500 coming in.”

She added she and her family are thankful for the many volunteers who have made the event such a success.

“We have elves who come out every year and they are usually students looking for their volunteer hours. We have family members and friends who have stood by our side to make sure it runs like a well-oiled event.”

When Van Roekel first started the event, she and her husband had one healthy and happy child, but she always thought, what if that wasn’t the case.

“We have all heard stories about kids being in the hospital and we were just very thankful that wasn’t our story. We thought it was a great cause, so we decided to put some weight behind it. It has been an interesting experience to have people come to the farm who have had experiences with the Children’s Hospital.”

She said those families were very thankful for the fundraiser.

“It just goes to show that even a bit of generosity goes a long way. That really pulled at our heartstrings and is one of the main drivers of us continuing with it.”

The event runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec.7, at Van Roekel Holsteins, located at 544213 Clarke Road, Ingersoll. A minimum donation of $20 is required and 100 per cent of the proceeds go to the London Children’s Hospital.