By having a good time while also contributing to a good cause, residents of The Willows in Cochrane raised money and donations for local charitable groups through their second annual Willows Block Party on Aug. 19.
Zahra Guy, an organizer of the block party, said the event provided guests with entertainment, live music, good eats, and the chance to give members of the community a platform to connect with one another.
“The whole atmosphere was [interacting] with a lot of the neighbours you kind of see around, but don’t really get the chance to talk with,” Guy said.
Compared to the inaugural event, Guy said there was a greater turnout of party-goers in the community who dropped by the event this year. She estimated that this year’s party garnered around 500 visitors who also gave back to local charities.
“I think it shows you that people wanted to come out and help, but also have a good time, so I feel really good about that,” she said.
This year, the event helped raise $367 for the Cochrane and Area Humane Society, alongside five bins of non-perishable goods for the Cochrane Activettes Food Bank.
Guy said being able to give back to the community is a fantastic feeling and noted that groups like the local non-profits in the community are in need of support to help the less-fortunate in the community.
“When we went to drop off the bins of food to the food bank this week, we noticed that their shelves were king of lacking, and they were so happy to receive these bins that we brought,” Guy said. “It feels good to be able to help and that was all from the people of the Willows making that happen, and to be able to facilitate that transaction was really rewarding.”
With the party officially wrapped up for this year, Guy said residents of The Willows plan to continue hosting the festivities every year. She anticipates the block party will continue to grow annually and already looks forward to the next one.
“It’s such a good time, you can’t help but not want to do it every year,” she said. “Every year, I’m hoping to meet new people and new neighbours.”
Guy would like to say thanks to the sponsors of the event, including Kingsmith Builders, Alberta Pro Drain Solutions, Cooper Plumbing and Heating, Julia Joy Beauty Co., and Brandon Cruze.
She also thanked The Beer Den, Jaipur India Cuisine, Renew + Refresh Medical Spa, Mehtab Indian Cuisine, Cabeza Grande, MacKay’s Ice Cream, Lovely Design, Heart to Home Gifts, Pup Cultre Paw Services, and the Flossy Orchid for their donations for the raffles.
In closing, Guy said she gives a very special thanks to all residents of The Willows, Brad Ardnt, Laura Bailey, Sydney Widmer, Santhia and Santhia Locke.
