INNISFAIL – The spirit of giving filled the streets of the town last weekend.
The 23rd annual Charity Check Stop took place on Main Street, between 48th and 49 avenues on Dec. 8.
Scores of cash, new clothing and toys and food donations were collected by members of the Innisfail RCMP, Innisfail Fire Department, Innisfail EMS, correctional services, volunteers from the town, a local church youth group and the Knee Hill Valley 4-H Club.
“We’ve got a ton of people out here today,” said Innisfail RCMP Const. Craig Nelson. “We’re really happy to have so many people helping.
“It’s been 23 years and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger every year and we get more and more volunteers,” he added. “It’s wonderful.”
In addition, other volunteers included Innisfail mayor Jim Romane, an area DJ who provided Christmas music, Santa Claus, Safety Bear and the fire department's Sparky were also on hand to greet families and hand out coupons and candy canes during the event.
Donations collected this year will once again go towards several local charities, including the Innisfail and District Food Bank, Innisfail Christmas Bureau and the Women’s Outreach Society in Red Deer.
Last year the event raised over $12,000 in cash donations, noted Nelson. They hoped to collect the same or more this year.
“It’s been amazing. People are so generous driving through and giving us toys, food, cash and clothing,” he said, noting other contributions from the community came in the form of coupons and candy canes.
“The town businesses really get behind us here. The town’s businesses are giving back to the community as well to help support this check stop,” he added. “The Innisfail Legion also donates lunch to the people who are out here volunteering.”
Mattea Bouvier, a volunteer with the Knee Hill Valley 4-H Club, was participating in her very first Charity Check Stop.
“It’s fun being able to give back to people who need this,” said Bouvier. “It’s good to see people giving.”
Nelson said the success of this year’s Charity Check Stop was thanks to a combined effort.
“The town, the volunteers, the businesses that donate and the people who drive through and donate to these charities is just amazing for us to see,” said Nelson. “We’re so happy to be a part of that.”
