A local game and collectibles store is continuing its tradition of supporting local causes with an all new X-MasCon event later this month at Soo Blaster.
For years, Mike Turcotte and his wife Beth have been supporting local charities year-round through their store Vintage Games N' Junque, and offering raffles or toy drop-offs for Christmas Cheer around Christmas time.
Founded in 1969, the Christmas Cheer's mission is to provide a Christmas grocery gift card and presents for Sault Ste. Marie and area families in need.
Turcotte said in an interview on Monday that some years when he was a child, he received toys during Christmas from a charity like Christmas Cheer.
"I understand the importance of not having a lot as a parent, not having the ability to stretch out the finances and that kind of stuff, but it's important because it's for the kids," he said.
Turcotte credits his wife with driving the charitable part of the business, which sells anything collectible — from coins and stamps to toys, records and games.
X-MasCon will be held Nov. 30 at Soo Blaster, with a card game tournament at 5 p.m. and a pool tournament starting at 7 p.m. Entry to both events is by donation to Christmas Cheer.
A vendor portion of the event was cancelled during a video message sent Monday evening by Facebook. Turcotte said he was unaware when he booked X-MasCon that there were other events scheduled for that same day, which some of his regular vendors were already committed to.
"We will probably do [a vendor show] next year with more time to plan, but we're still going to go ahead with the card tournaments and the pool tournament," Mike said.
The store will have prizes for the card game tournament and cash prizes for the pool tourney.
At 8 p.m. DJ Dark will begin spinning tunes for a Christmas party to cap off the event. There is no entry fee for the party, but Turcotte said additional donations to Christmas Cheer would be appreciated.
The store has also run in-store events in support of other charities, like the Soup Kitchen and, with a partnership with Classic Signs at its recent Steel City NerdCon event, raised over $1,000 in support of ARCH.
The store's next event, Steel City CollectorCon, will be held May 4.
For more information on X-MasCon and other upcoming events, follow the Vintage Games N' Junque Facebook page.