The newly-minted Cochrane Kiwanis Club is kicking off its community presence with an effort to ensure all children get to experience Christmas to its fullest. Kiwanis International, a global service organization with a focus on children, is signing off on a Cochrane Chapter at the end of this month, and by mid-November, they’re hoping to have a roster of children in need that they can take shopping. “The club will initially focus on serving children from under-served neighbourhoods in Cochrane and area,” said charter president Ron Gosselin. “We are working with local partners to bring a smile to the faces of less fortunate children who may not get a gift at Christmas this year or experience the joy of Christmas.” The undertaking is part of the Holiday Toy Project which is led by various local chapters. The project in Cochrane will be a partnership with Walmart. Each child will be selected based on a recommendation from Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), and will get to attend a Christmas party and select one gift of their choice from the store. “There’s a lot of needs in the community,” said Roland Sabourin, a local Kiwanis volunteer. “For some families, Christmas gifts just aren’t a priority so we know some children will go without this year.” The club is raising funds to cover both the cost of the party and the gifts for each child. The number of children participating has not yet been determined. The Cochrane Toy Project will be the fourth in the Calgary area, along with Airdrie, Okotoks and Calgary. Those interested can make a tax-deductible donation to Cochrane Kiwanis Charter. The organization is also reaching out to businesses to help sponsor gifts. “If there’s 100 businesses and they each sponsor one child, that’s 100 kids. That makes a big dent in terms of the number of smiles and kids that are able to participate,” said Sabourin. The deadline to raise the funds will be around the last week of November and the party will likely be in early to mid-December, though no date has been pegged down yet. To donate visit https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/toys-for-disadvantaged-children-in-cochrane/ or call Roland Sabourin at (403) 561-3223.
