A local lady has started an initiative to help make Christmas a bit brighter for single moms in Cochrane.

Carey Wilkinson Lee says she started Chicks for Chicks seven years ago. 

"We collect second-hand jewellery and then sell it by donation throughout the year and then around Christmas time we make honour packages for single moms in Cochrane."

She says the packages include gift cards for local restaurants, grocery stores, spa and beauty products, homemade cookies, chocolate, a custom-made dream catcher as well as books and a nice piece of jewellery. The baskets usually have between $200 to $300 worth of goods. 

"Our target is a mother that works hard that is a single mom in Cochrane, lives or works in Cochrane and doesn't really ask for help so they're kind of off the radar but they just do what they need to do to get it done for themselves and their kids and make a living."

Wilkinson Lee says the reaction from the recipients is always heart warming. 

"It's pretty amazing. Finding the nominations is interesting and it seems to come down to the very last weekend in November because it's done by word of mouth. But we've hit the target every time and they're humble, they're not expecting it."

The jewellery is sold throughout the year in various places in Cochrane.

If you have jewellery or items such as gift cards that you would like to donate or perhaps you'd like to buy some jewellery you can find Carey Wilkinson Lee on Facebook or on Instagram.