Emergency services crews are once again hitting the streets of Cochrane for their annual parade, accepting donations for this holiday season.
“It's really to provide Christmas for all,” said Cochrane Coun.Marni Fedeyko.
The Cochrane First Responders’ parade will be making its way through residential communities Dec. 5, 6, and 7, collecting donations for the Cochrane Activettes food bank. They are accepting non-perishable foods, non-expired foods, toys, gift cards, board games, and other family friendly donations.
Fedeyko said the first responders parade began as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unable to have in person contact, the parade provided residents an opportunity to donate to the community.
“I worked with an inspector on Cochrane fire services as well as a corporal form the Cochrane RCMP, and we decided let’s do a convoy of emergency services vehicles,” said Fedeyko. “While we’re out there, let's also be able to provide opportunities for people to donate and pitch in the back of trucks.”
The initiative has seen great success in the past, with last year creating over 300 baskets and hampers, said Fedeyko. She added the parade generates roughly 80 per cent of the donations that go towards the Cochrane Activettes.
Emphasizing the positive spirit of Cochrane, Fedeyko said this is a great way to meet people in the community while also giving back.
“We have a great community heart and what better way to introduce yourself to maybe neighbors you don't know, or perhaps just go home and cheer people on,” she said.
Hosting the parade for her fifth year, Fedeyko said she has witnessed heartwarming moments come from the event.
“There was a woman and a son in a community and the son had handed the donation and the mom said, ‘we want to pay it back because we used the service in past years,’” she said. “That to me is the true heart of Cochrane.”
Fedeyko said emergency services determine the routes the parade will take.
Recognizing emergencies happen, Fedeyko is reminding the community that although the parades are scheduled, there is the potential for them to be cancelled if emergency services are required elsewhere.
“If an emergency happens, parades get cancelled,” Fedeyko said. “If weather gets too cold, there needs to be a lot of flexibility.”
Fedeyko said they hope the parade will allow for everyone in Cochrane to have a gift under the tree this holiday season.
She said this time of year is full of positive energy and hopes the community will get involved in any way they can.
“Maybe we all feel a little bit more festive, a little bit more joyous, and it's just all about positivity,” Fedeyko said. “Get out there banging on pots and pans, go to your window and wave, give us a thumbs up, stand outside and play instruments.”
Collection Dates/ Times
Dec 5 - Heritage Hills/ Heartland 5-7 p.m.
Dec 6 - Glenbow, Riverview 5-7 p.m.
Dec 7 – Gleneagles. 5-7 p.m.
