Every child deserves to smile at Christmas, and Santa and Cochrane Toyota are seeking your help in making that possible.

Cochrane Toyota has recruited the help of Santa to spread some Christmas joy because they both know this is going to be a tough one for some young families in the Cochrane area.

With that in mind, Alex Baum, dealer principal of Cochrane Toyota, purchased 350 quality German sleds to place under the Christmas tree for deserving preschool-age children.

They are now actively seeking nominations for young children who could have their Christmas brightened by the gift of a sled. A special website has been established by Cochrane Toyota to receive nominations. You can find it here.

It's not just for Cochrane children but those in the surrounding area, whether it be children from Morley and Exshaw in the west, Sundre in the north, Millerville in the south, and 12 Mile Coulee in the east.

"Whether it's Morley or downtown Cochrane or its Exshaw, if you know that could have a smile because of this, that's who we're looking for," says Baum.

In addition to individual residents, they are encouraging churches, youth organizations, and family services to nominate preschoolers. They've already spoken to many of them.

The Young Professionals Rotary Club will be selecting the recipients of the sleds.

The sled are manufactured by Gloco, a leader in quality wooden snow sleds in Germany since 1919. The beechwood sleds have galvanized steel runners sit under timber bottom runners, forming a fast gliding sledge that’s easy to steer. 

Baum says they have tested out the sled with some preschoolers and their quality is impressive.

By chance, a lot of the sleds became available while Baum was attending an Edmonton car auction.

"I don't know the whole story of why so many sleds became available but what a great opportunity," says Baum. "Smiles on a child's face who normally wouldn't get one, or may not get one... that's what we've got to do." 

He says Toyota will also continue to support the Christmas initiatives of the Cochrane Activettes.

On Dec. 20, the sleds will be distributed from Cochrane Toyota. Those receiving one will have a time assigned for pick up, and Santa or one of his helpers, will present the sled.

Those helpers will include Mrs. Claus, who is making a special and rare trip from the North Pole to lend a hand. Mayor Jeff Genung will also be there, fully decked out, as the lead elf.

Exactly how they will be presented depends upon the status of COVID-19 at that time. In a worst-case scenario, they have plans to provide curbside delivery of the sleds.