INNISFAIL – While the cash donation record did not fall this year the Innisfail RCMP is nevertheless grateful for the continued generosity seen at the 27th annual Charity Check Stop.
The five-hour outdoor event on Dec. 2 along 50th Street between 48th and 49th avenues collected a total of $14,065.70 in cash and cheques, three truck loads of high quality toys and new clothing items, and 595 pounds of food for the Innisfail and District Food Bank.
In 2022, the Innisfail RCMP Charity Check Stop raised a total of $15,735 in cash and cheques, which was slightly down from the previous year's record-setting $17,181.05.
However, the 595 pounds of food collected this year was 50 pounds more than in 2022.
“This is just another example of just how great this town is,” said Innisfail RCMP Staff Sgt. Ian Ihme. “We had kids with their piggy banks that came and just dumped it in. It's good to see.
“On top of that it’s just nice to see the smiles it brings to people. Everybody pulling up to that check stop was happy,” he added. “They were in the Christmas spirit. They're really in the giving spirit.”
Innisfail RCMP Const. Craig Nelson, who spearheaded this year’s charity check stop, was also impressed with the community support for the 27-year-old event, noting the business donations from Nestle Purina, Central Alberta CO-OP, Dark Woods, Dairy Queen, Subway, Tim Hortons, Field & Forge, A&W, 7-11, Boston Pizza, and The Coffee Cottage.
Nelson said the goal was to have a charity check stop that is “good for the community”, and what can be given back to the community that will help those less fortunate have a joyous Christmas.
The cash donations collected this year were handed over to four charitable organizations. They included the Innisfail food bank, Innisfail Christmas Bureau, Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) and the Youth Positive Assets Coalition.
Each organization received a cheque for $3,516.
Alyssa Barthel, director of community development for CACAC, said a donation of any amount makes an “incredible impact” on her organization, as well as for the kids her centre helps and supports.
“It's also just the awareness that having us in the Town of Innisfail has had for us; for people and community members to understand the services and support we provide for the children of Innisfail,” said Barthel, noting her agency has handled 59 files from Innisfail from 2018 to 2023. “This money is going to go far. We have various different programs this can go into.”
“We have the holiday healing program that supports families with gifts for the holiday season, as well as all of our mental health initiatives for the children, youth and families that come to our centre.”
Heather Taylor, co-coordinator of the Innisfail food bank, said the cheque and food donations come at a “perfect” time this year. Her agency has recently seen a dramatic 17 per cent increase in demand for service.
“We have promised that all our clients will get either a turkey or a ham this year,” said Taylor. “This goes a long ways towards that. Just anything we can do to help the community is wonderful.”
