BU Holiday Bruncheon raises $2,750 for Christmas Cheer

Brandon University’s annual BU holiday luncheon — reimagined this year as a Holiday Bruncheon — was a delicious success. We were thrilled to see everyone in their festive best, with cozy pyjamas, comfy sweaters, and most importantly, your sparkly smiles. Food Services put on a perfect spread, and our plates were overflowing with the perfect holiday mix of sweet and savoury. 

The baskets and 50-50 sales were as brisk as the weather, and we’re thrilled to share that we raised $2,750 for Brandon-Westman Christmas Cheer this year. Since the basket raffle was inaugurated in 2013, Brandon University has now raised and donated a total of $35,593!

Syndy Wright, from Christmas Cheer, told us that 1,716 families had registered for a hamper this year. “This is a real need in our city,” she said. Luckily, Westman generosity has come through, and Christmas Cheer has already been able to raise enough to fulfill this year’s need. That means BU’s contributions will provide a healthy kickstart to 2026’s hamper campaign. 

Basket winners:

• Maureen Cesmysruk — Ninjalicious, donated by President’s Office, Human Resources, 
• Shawna English — Pickle Pack, donated by Research and Graduate Studies
• Reinhold Kramer — Comfort and Joy, donated by Campus Manitoba and Rural Development Institute
• Carla Eisler — Game Night – Unplugged!, donated by Faculty of Education
• DawnDena Gordon — Spicy Snack Basket, donated by Library, Archives and IT Services
• Schad Richea — Elbows Up, donated by Student Services, with Registrar’s and Senate Office, and Admissions Office
• Andrea Cruise — Holiday Kitchen Magic, donated by the Faculty of Arts
• Terry McMaster — Merry Spendmas, donated by Alumni, Communications, and Finance & Registration
• Camille Meub —Happy Holidays, donated by the School of Music
• Kris Hills — Ultimate Grinchmas, donated by the Faculty of Science
• Melanie Sucha —Self Care, donated by the Faculty of Health Studies

50-50:

• Karen Skinner — takes home $327.50

Door prize:

• Lidia Lohr — donated by the BU Bookstore

Gingerbread houses:

• Kim’s (House #3)
• Chipotle (House #1)
• Blobby Builders (House #6)
• (tied) I’m Just a Girl (House #2) & Wonderland Workers (House #5) 
• Rebecca’s House (House #4)

Thank you to everyone who donated to a basket, who built a gingerbread house, or who purchased raffle or 50-50 tickets to support the Bruncheon and Christmas Cheer. Thanks as well to the volunteers and planning committee elves, Food Services staff, our carollers from the School of Music, knowledge-keeper Susie McPherson-Derendy, BUSU for the gingerbread house competition in support of Campus Cupboard, the President’s Office for funding support, to President Christine Bovis–Cnossen for MC duties, and to everyone who attended.

One nice tradition of the BU Holiday Bruncheon is how hosting duties rotate among different areas of the university. It keeps things fresh, avoids putting the burden on just one team, and allows different areas to participate. Clark Hall elves had a lot of fun this year thinking of ways to keep our favourite parts of the celebration while adding new touches or taking a different spin. We hope you enjoyed it. Next year, we’re passing the candy cane to Student Services. 

Please enjoy a warm, safe, and restful break over the holidays. We will see you in 2026!

And that’s a … wrap!

— Your BU Holiday Bruncheon elves

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