INNISFAIL – Hundreds of Innisfail and area residents gave a warm welcome to the CP Holiday Train when it made a stop in Innisfail on Thursday (Dec. 7).
Unlike last year's late arrival in the frigid cold, this year's CP Holiday Train greeted spectators under sunny skies and warm temperatures.
The annual event is a fundraiser for the Innisfail and District Food Bank.
“Today is perfect. There's lots of young families and schoolchildren here,” said Brenda Hand, co-ordinator of the food bank. “There's people here with their coats wide open enjoying the sunshine.
“The turnout is fantastic. It's wonderful,” she added. “We really appreciate everybody coming down to the holiday train.”
Members with the Rotary Club of Innisfail, Innisfail Lions Club and the Innisfail Kinsmen Club, along with several youth from the Innisfail Baptist youth group, volunteered their time and helped with the event.
Hand said she was pleased with the support from the Innisfail community.
“We have a van full of groceries and non-perishable foods. We've received very generous donations from the town,” said Hand, adding the CP Holiday Train is one of the food bank's biggest fundraisers each year. “We raise lots of donations from the people and we get some from the CP Holiday Train too.”
This year the CP Holiday Train made a monetary donation to the Innisfail and District Food Bank for $3,500, and collected 1,100 lbs. of food.
“The food will be given as the need arises. We serve the community 52 weeks a year,” explained Hand. “We appreciate the donations at this time of year because of the need.”
Red Deerian Page Hoffman and her two children, Isabella and Lucas, enjoyed the CP Holiday Train for the very first time.
“It's our first time coming down to see the holiday train,” said Hoffman. “We're actually from Red Deer, but we wanted to come here and see the train and what it was like.
“It's great. It's really nice to see everyone out supporting the community,” she added.
The CP Holiday Train visited several communities in Alberta on Dec.7, including Innisfail, Olds, Didsbury, Airdrie and Calgary.
Brenda Hand, coordinator of the Innisfail and District Food Bank
"We appreciate the donations at this time of year because of the need."
