The CPKC Holiday Train brought entertainment and much needed help for area food banks on stops in Innisfail, Olds and Didsbury Dec. 8.
Innisfail was the holiday train’s first stop in the region, arriving almost to the minute of its scheduled 12:45 p.m. time.
As the train slowed to a stop at the Main Street crossing hundreds of attendees gathered excitedly, wanting to get the best possible viewing for the show that would soon start.
Innisfailian Wilma Watson noted the train’s near perfect arrival time fitted well with the near-perfect weather – mild temperatures, and a gentle sprinkle of snow coming down from a semi-overcast sky.
“It's gets you into the Christmas spirit, and being able to contribute to the food bank and having all the children watch this is really an exciting time,” said Watson, saluting CPKC’s 25-year commitment to its holiday train program. “It shows community. It shows participation, and it looks after those in our community who need a little help or support at this time of the year.”
Within five minutes after the holiday train’s arrival the stage was lowered and set up for a 30-minute show from Toronto-based Anyway Gang, an alternative rock group that delighted the young and old with a 30-minute show of fun rock tunes and energetic holiday season favourites.
During a brief break in the show Innisfail mayor Jean Barclay took to the stage to welcome CPKC for their annual milestone visit.
“It is just an absolutely perfect day today,” Barclay told the crowd. “It is a great community event and a fantastic turnout today.”
Barclay was joined on stage by Heather Taylor, co-coordinator of the Innisfail and District Food Bank, who was presented with a $3,500 cheque from CPKC.
“We have a strong relationship with CPKC and $3,500 will go a long way; close to a month’s groceries,” said Taylor, whose agency also received 407 pounds of donated food from Innisfailians who came to greet the holiday train.
“Thank you CPKC. Once again you come through for us, and that is awesome,” Taylor told the crowd.
She also thanked the Innisfail Lions Club for providing hot chocolate for scores of citizens who attended, and to members of Blair Team Real Estate for supplying a truck to transport the day’s food donations from the railway crossing to the food bank.
“And lastly thank you to the Town of Innisfail for arranging all of this, and thank you to you for your generous, generous donations,” said Taylor.
Olds stop
When the CPCK Holiday Train arrived in Olds, a cheque for $4,000 was presented to Mountain View Food Bank.
On stage to receive it were Mountain View Food Bank president Tayva Graham, along with Town of Olds Mayor Judy Dahl and Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper.
Cooper was the first to speak.
He said for many residents the arrival of the Holiday Train is “the kick-off to Christmas.”
“The great thing about the Holiday Train is it gets us in the right frame of mind and that is the mind of giving to others and supporting those who are less fortunate, so a huge thank you to CPKC,” he said.
Dahl said each year, the event is “a much-loved show that brings communities together for a cause that touches many lives in these hard times.”
She thanked CPCK for the tradition of the Holiday Train raising money and collecting food for people who are food insecure for decades.
Dahl also thanked Graham and her Mountain View Food Bank volunteers for all they do to support those who need their services.
She thanked the Anyway Gang who performed music during the stop and the crowd gathered at 50th Street.
“To each and every one of you, I applaud your time to attend this event. And please do know that you’ve touched the lives of so many with your personal donations here today,” she said.
"On behalf of the elected officials and the people of Olds and area, I wish you a holiday of moments filled with treasures and hope and God bless you all.”
Graham thanked CPCK “for putting this amazing event on and our amazing musicians that are here performing.”
She also noted that a car was parked nearby where people could drop off money or non-perishable food items and gave a shoutout to the volunteers there ready to take those donations.
“Thank you so much to our community of Olds for coming out and supporting this wonderful event. Happy holidays,” Graham said, sparking cheers.
Didsbury stop
Didsbury mayor Rhonda Hunter spoke from the train stage.
“It’s such an amazing night for us to see everybody show up for our community and to support the food bank,” said Hunter. “We thank the food bank for all that they do for our region. We thank CPKC for this tradition that boosts our community spirit and our Christmas spirit every year. And remember that the food banks need food year-round.”
“It is so wonderful that we start the Christmas season thinking about others, and the great work that the holiday train and Mountain View Food Bank does,” said Cooper.
“I would encourage you this year to remember those who are less fortunate and do everything we can to support our friends and neighbours.”
Vicky Johnson, a longtime Mountain View Food Bank volunteer, was on hand collecting food.
“It’s always great to have this kind of support,” Johnson said. “It’s a really good crowd. It seems like people are really generous at this time of year.”
Demand for help from the food bank remains very strong, she said.
“We are really inundated with the working poor, which we haven’t seen in past years. And there are lot of international students from Olds College who are having difficulty getting by.
“And there has been a huge increase in demand from families.”
Farmers and gardeners are big supporters of the food bank, she noted.
“They donate their produce and that is sure nice,” she said.
