In the spirit of the holiday season, the Cochrane and Area Events Society (CAES) will transform the Canadian Tire automotive department into Santa’s Territory for the annual Stuff-A-Bus celebration.
“It's really bringing the feeling of Christmas,” said chair of CAES, Marina Chabbert.
In support of the Cochrane Activettes, the Stuff-A-Bus celebration will be taking place Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. where they will be accepting toys and gifts as donations. In collaboration with the CAES, the Found Bookstore helped assist in transforming the automotive department for this year’s photo booth, with the theme being “Story Time with Santa.”
Chabbert said the event is helping to assist families in Cochrane this holiday season. She said Stuff-A-Bus benefits from community donations provided during the day.
“It’s for adults, teens, and children as well because their hamper program supplies for the entire family,” she said. “It’s to make sure that families that are experiencing rough times can have a normal Christmas.”
Not only accepting toy and gift donations, Chabbert confirmed they will be taking food and monetary donations as well.
Having participated in the event in previous years, Chabbert said the process runs smoothly. She added companies are always willing to help.
“They do rely on the generous donations that are received that day for their toy drive,” she said. “It's such a giving time. We just need to ask companies and they always step up to the plate and help us.”
Highlighting the generous nature of Cochrane residents, Chabbert said they appreciate the support they have received in helping make the event a success.
Chabbert also noted the many events that take place throughout December that help support the Cochrane Activettes.
“It's fantastic. Cochrane is a really wonderful, warm giving community,” Chabbert said. “There are various activities throughout December that support this cause. We're just one of many.”
Recently attending the Calgary Hitman’s teddy bear toss, Chabbert said members of the CAES helped count and stuff the bears at the event.
She said bears collected at the event will help with the Activettes hamper program.
“As a committee, we're giving back to that organization as well as volunteering our time,” Chabbert said. “We put in a request to receive 500 stuffies which also go to the Activettes for their hamper program.”
Chabbert said they are thankful for the generosity of those who are helping to make Christmas special for everyone within Cochrane.
“We just need to extend a big thank you to all of the people who so generously share their Christmas and donate so other people can have a better Christmas,” Chabbert said.
