For Full Information on this year's campaign please go to www.630ched.com.

Santas Anonymous was started in 1954 on 1080 CHED Radio by Jerry Forbes. Jerry's real name was Murray McIntyre Forbes and he adapted the name Jerry for his on-air work. Jerry started in broadcasting at CFRN in 1947. He is also known for his CHED Good Guy program, his daily humanity editorials "Thought for the Day," and for his amazing singing voice.

When 1080 CHED signed on in 1954 Jerry was their first production Manager. He worked his way up throughout the years to become the station General Manager. CHED moved from 1080 to its familiar 630 dial position a few years after their debut as 630 was a better frequency, which reaches virtually 75% of the Province of Alberta.

Jerry's quote on why he started Santas Anonymous was "wouldn't it be great if there would be no needy kids..and every kid had a present...not a used present...with wheels stuck on and repainted....but a brand new present. From that modest start we said well...lets do it. So we went ahead and for the first few years we ran it up on the second floor here just with my staff and from there it just grew and grew and now its part of the overall system of the Christmas Bureau ."

Now more than 25,000 presents are delivered each and every year in Edmonton through Santas Anonymous.

Jerry spent 28 years at CHED and retired in June of 1981. He passed away in September of 1981 and is burried in Innisfail, Alberta, his birth place.

Marty Forbes
VP/GM Standard Radio Edmonton - mforbes@tbwifi.ca.

Gordon Forbes
General Sales Manager, Vancouver Canucks, gord.forbes@canucks.com

Gerry Forbes
Morning Man, CJAY-FM Calgary, gforbes@cjay92.com.

Daniel Forbes
Edmonton Alberta.

Kerry Forbes
Tanglewood Productions, Toronto kerryforbes38@gmail.com

The campaign started in 1955 delivering 600 toys from the former CHED building just off Jasper Avenue at 107th street, downtown. The program started with just the CHED staff but grew quickly and it was obvious that volunteers were needed to assist in wrapping and delivering the toys. Today 'hundreds' of volunteers deliver nearly 25,000 toys each Christmas. The program has grown so large that the toys have to be housed in a separate warehouse.

After Jerry's passing, The City of Edmonton recognized him by naming streets in the Riverbend area of Edmonton, specifically Falconer Heights. The Western Association of Broadcasters (Wab) awarded Jerry as an Honourary Life Member in 1993, and the Canadian Association of Broadcastes (Cab) inducted him into the Hall of Fame in November of 2005.

The Santa’s Anonymous program was co-ordinated by Gary Draeger of 630 CHED for many years. Gary was the “Head Elf” on the campaign and his true spirit and dedication to the program is highly appreciated by the entire Forbes Family. Thousands and thousands of families over these many years owe their thanks to this wonderful man. Sadly Gary Dreaeger passed away in May of 2005.

The Santas toy run goes the last Sunday of September from Capilano Mall. Upwards of 2500 motorcycles bring unwrapped toys to the event which snakes throughout city streets for approximately 45 minutes then ends up at Northlands for music, food and various entertainment. As well as toy donations cash donations are welcomed and are required to pay for wrapping paper, scotch tape and other basic needs.

A Creature, written and voiced by Jerry Forbes, and produced by Bob McCord, is one of the longest running production pieces on Canadian radio....Jerry Forbes passed away in September of 1981 and each and every year 630 CHED airs this signature piece that recognizes the volunteers in the program.

(Click here to listen - mp3)

Jerry Forbes was asked how he'd like to be remembered after he died. His response was simply 'just to be remembered as a 'decent guy.' Jerry would never know how many people he has helped since that simple beginning of Santas Anonymous in 1955.

This site has been prepared as a tribute to the thousands of volunteers in the City of Edmonton for their amazing commitment to Santas Anonymous... to the people of Edmonton, and to the staff of Corus Radio in Edmonton. Thanks for keeping the memory of Jerry Forbes alive in respect for his contribution to his most necessary Christmas program. The Forbes Family!