INNISFAIL – Good-hearted Mounties are busy preparing for this year's 22nd annual Charity Check Stop that will be held next month.
This year's Charity Check Stop is set for Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and will once again be located on Main Street between 48th and 49th avenues. Donations will be accepted from both eastbound and westbound traffic. Drivers not wanting to donate can proceed without any difficulty.
And of course, Safety Bear will be in attendance and eagerly waiting to hand everyone a candy cane.
“The planning is the same as usual as it has in the past 22 years. It kind of runs itself. There won't be any changes as it will run as in previous years -- same location, same type of venue,” said Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk, adding members of the Innisfail Fire Department, as well as many other volunteers, will be on hand to help out.
“In the past Innisfail residents have been extremely generous and it has been appreciated. A lot of work goes into preparing and setting up the Check Stop. Hopefully we have another year as we've had in the past.”
This year's check stop will once again be accepting new clothing, food, new toys and cash. The charitable organizations that will benefit this year are the Innisfail and District Food Bank, Innisfail and District Christmas Bureau, and the Women's Outreach Society.
Last year's 21st annual check stop raised $12,209.40 in cash and cheques, along with more than four truckloads of toys and clothes. In addition, 1,100 pounds of food was donated by Innisfail and area citizens for the Innisfail and District Food Bank.
For more information on this year's Charity Check Stop, contact Innisfail RCMP Const. Craig Nelson at 403-227-3342.
Innisfail RCMP Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk
"In the past Innisfail residents have been extremely generous and it has been appreciated."
