Local social media celeb teams up with WRHN Foundation for Jingle Balls lottery
News Release
Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont. | Fri. Nov. 21, 2025
Sarah Nicole Landry – known to her 2.5 million Instagram followers as @TheBirdsPapaya – is teaming up with Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) Foundation for a lottery fundraiser that supports local healthcare.
The content creator, podcaster and reality TV star from Guelph, Ont., will play the role of Santa for WRHN Foundation’s Jingle Balls lottery draw, announcing the grand prize winner of $15,000 live on CTV Kitchener on Dec. 23.
Jingle Balls is a lottery fundraiser that allows community members to purchase tickets that match numbers on pink tennis balls. The purchased balls are put into a concrete mixer on the draw date, then mixed and emptied into a Santa sack where the winning ball is selected.
Jingle Balls funds priority equipment needs at WRHN – the newly merged hospital in Kitchener-Waterloo. WRHN’s regional programs, including the Cancer Centre and Regional Cardiac Care Centre, reach roughly 1.5 million people across Waterloo Region and surrounding communities.
“Supporting WRHN Foundation as this year’s Jingle Balls Santa will be a very meaningful experience for me,” the Birds Papaya says. “Everyone is touched by healthcare at some point in their lives – whether you’re having a baby or having heart surgery – and ensuring access to world-class care in our communities is essential. So buy your tickets and support local healthcare.”
The Jingle Balls lottery began Tuesday and will run until noon on Dec. 23. Tickets can be purchased online at jingleballs.ca – $25 for one, $45 for two and $100 for five.
Three winners will be drawn at 5 p.m. on Dec. 23 and announced by the Birds Papaya – including the $15,000 top prize winner and two $2,500 winners.
“Jingle Balls is a fun way for our community to support local healthcare at WRHN and we are so excited and grateful to have the Birds Papaya donating her time as our special Santa this year,” says Ashley Howat, VP, Strategic Initiatives at WRHN Foundation. “Each ball purchased has the power to transform care for patients and their families by securing innovative, life-saving tools and equipment at WRHN.”
Jingle Balls raffle license No. M853687.
Images available for download. Please credit: Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation
WRHN Foundation media contact:
Melissa Couto
Communications Specialist
About Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation
Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) Foundation raises funds to support life-saving care at Waterloo Regional Health Network. WRHN Foundation works in partnership with our community to help elevate the healthcare experience of WRHN patients and staff.
Thanks to generous support from donors, we raise funds for vital equipment, programs and resources at WRHN that are not covered by the Ontario Ministry of Health.
Learn more at WRHNF.ca
About Waterloo Regional Health Network
Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN, pronounced wren) represents the merger of two Hospitals into a single, integrated healthcare organization. Built on over 90 years of partnership, WRHN is home to seven regional programs and comprehensive healthcare services to meet the current and emerging needs in Waterloo-Wellington and beyond. WRHN is redefining the healthcare experience through collaboration and innovation, addressing barriers to access, advancing care delivery, and setting new standards in compassionate, empowered, community-driven healthcare. At WRHN, every patient is at the centre of everything we do as we strive to improve lives, inspire healing, and build healthier, stronger communities.
Learn more at wrhn.ca
