INNISFAIL - Drivers of hundreds of vehicles stopped to give during Innisfail's Charity Check Stop on Dec. 7.
The 24th annual event took place along Main Street between 48th and 49th avenues.
Due to the generosity of the community a total of $12,279.50 in cash and cheques were raised, Innisfail RCMP reports.
Additionally, six carloads of high quality toys and gently used clothing items were collected for the Innisfail Christmas Bureau and over 800 pounds of food was donated for the Innisfail and District Food Bank by the citizen's of Innisfail and the surrounding area.
Every year, the Charity Check Stop collects needed items for area families, including new clothing, new toys, non-perishable food and cash for area charities. Items were collected for the Innisfail Christmas Bureau, Innisfail and District Food Bank, Innisfail Youth Positive Assets Coalition and the Women's Outreach Society in Red Deer.
"We've got a good turnout this year. We've got lots of volunteers," said Innisfail Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk. "It's been a slow start but it's steady and it's picking up."
Members of the Innisfail Fire Department, local paramedics, peace officers, Bowden Institution, CP Rail police, Innisfail Restorative Justice Society, Innisfail Victim Services, Knee Hill Valley 4-H Club and the Innisfail Baptist Church Youth Group, all volunteered during the event, noted Matechuk.
Despite a tough economy, Matechuk said the annual fundraiser was going well.
"It's hard to say, with the economy being a big downturn right now but it seems to be doing very well," he said, noting the event raised just over $8,000 in cash last year as well as bags and boxes of donations of toys, clothing and food.
"(People are) very generous," said Matechuk, noting total amounts raised will be calculated next week. "Every little bit helps."
Innisfail resident Gord Russell was one of many volunteers helping out with the annual fundraiser.
"It's been really good actually, a little better than years previous," said Russell. "I've seen more toys this year than I've seen before this early (in the event) and I've seen more food."
Russell, a volunteer with several local organizations in town, said he enjoys volunteering in the community and has been a part of the Charity Check Stop for at least 14 years. He said it was wonderful to see people sharing and giving to those in need at Christmastime.
"I have seen much generosity. It is amazing what people are able to give and it's so, so nice," said Russell. "Even clubs are giving stuff. It's amazing."
