On a sunny Sunday afternoon at Dewey Blaney Park with fall colours at their peak, it seemed a bit early to be talking Christmas.
But not for the folks spearheading the annual “Share Your Christmas” parades around Cochrane.
On Oct. 2, as firefighters, sheriffs and RCMP officers served up hot dogs and kids squealed on nearby swings, Coun. Marni Fedeyko and members of the Cochrane Activettes Food Bank announced they are again going to have caravans of emergency vehicles go around each neighbourhood in Cochrane this December with lights flashing and sirens blaring, alerting people to come outside and give.
First responders – Cochrane Fire Services, local sheriffs and RCMP – do the heavy lifting, working closely with the Activettes to make the parades happen.
Non-perishable food items, gifts, and cheques can be donated. It all goes to families in the area who may not be as fortunate as some. Families looking for a food basket at Christmas or some toys, clothing or gifts for older kids can contact Cochrane and Area Family Support Services, who then pass along the information to the Activettes, to deliver the hampers.
The program spreads a bit of Christmas joy from Bragg Creek to Cremona. This will be the third year for the week-long parades, and given recent economic conditions, the need may be greater than ever.
A concern is the financial crunch facing everyone may translate into fewer donations than normal. Chair of “Share Your Christmas” Sue Lunnin said donations are down right now, and they don’t have as much food on hand as they normally would, so the Christmas hampers will be even more important.
Last year, 308 families (1,174 individuals) had a Christmas they wouldn’t have otherwise had were it not for the program.
Mihai Stan is a Municipal Enforcement Peace Officer – what’s known as a sheriff – in Cochrane, who sees people going through hard times and considers it a privilege to take part in something that helps bring a little relief to families.
“Especially given what people are going through, losing their jobs, going through COVID, so I’m happy that it’s coming back,” he said.
The parades happen around suppertime in December, so it’s already dark when the lights start flashing.
Stan said the kids like the “cool image” of the lights and sirens, and it also shows them that all the emergency services in town work together.
“It’s actually a beautiful thing as well, on top of gathering the food, to see 15 vehicles with lights and sirens on, picking up the food,” he said.
Fedeyko echoed that sentiment.
“It was absolutely heartwarming to see kids running down the street with bags, people with boxes of donations – it’s an incredible sight,” she said.
She said they are looking for food, toiletries, toys, clothing, gifts for older kids, gift cards, or cheques. Gifts for teenagers are a challenge, she admitted, as they’re not an easy group to buy for, but the Activettes can offer suggestions.
The parades will run on the following dates: Dec. 2 in Sunset Ridge; Dec. 3 in Heritage Hills/Heartland/Fireside; Dec 6. in Gleneagles/East End/Cochrane Heights/Sunterra; Dec. 7 in Riverview/Glenbow, Bow Meadows/Bow Ridge and Jumping Pound; Dec. 9 in West Valley, and Dec. 10 in Riversong communities.
To donate or get more information go to cochraneactivettes.com.
