The Innisfail RCMP has set Dec.13 as its day to host the 19th annual Charity Check Stop to help the needy at Christmastime.
And Mounties are once again hoping the community will enthusiastically rally around the event, which set a record last year for generosity.
“Innisfail is a very giving community. I've been doing this for three years and I am always blown away by the generosity. I think per capita we definitely beat some of the bigger places around Alberta. I think it is fantastic,” said Innisfail RCMP Const. Chris Lavery, who is organizing the event for the detachment for the third year in a row.
Last year, a total of $11,630.57 in cash and cheques was collected for needy families. That was $2,200 more than the previous best of $9,400 that was collected in 2012.
As well, the Charity Check Stop received more than four and a half truckloads of toys, two truckloads of clothes and 775 pounds of food.
The toys and clothes went to the Innisfail and District Christmas Bureau while the food was picked up by the Innisfail & Area Food Bank. The money was split evenly between the food bank, the Christmas bureau, Central Alberta Women's Outreach Society and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Innisfail.
Lavery said while he would like to see even bigger totals raised this year he emphasized that no goal has been set.
“I don't like to say we have a goal just because this is what people feel they can give, what people want to give and whatever they can give is fantastic,” said Lavery. “Obviously we would love to beat last year, but I don't want to put in a goal because this is a thing people don't have to do. It is something they are doing out of the goodness of their heart so let them give what they can give.”
The location of this year's Charity Check Stop on Dec. 13 is 50th Street between 48th and 49th avenues. Donations will be accepted from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from motorists who are heading both eastbound and westbound. Drivers not wishing to donate may proceed through without any difficulty, said Lavery.
“The RCMP's Safety Bear will be excited to meet everyone and will be waiting to hand out candy canes,” he said.
This year's Charity Check Stop will once again be accepting clothing, food, new and gently used toys, and cash. The charitable organizations this year will be the food bank, Christmas bureau, Women's Outreach Society and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
For further information on this year's Charity Check Stop contact Lavery at the Innisfail RCMP detachment at 403-227-3342.
