The annual First Responders Parades are tentatively scheduled to kick off on Nov. 15 in the Sunset Community.

Members of Cochrane Fire, RCMP, EMS, municipal enforcement, and Victim Services will be doing 11 parades stretching until Dec. 8 in support of the Cochrane Activettes food bank.

The parades will run from 5 to 7 pm on the below dates: 

Sunset Monday, Nov. 15
Heartland Wednesday, Nov. 17
Heritage Hills Friday, Nov. 19
Fireside Monday, Nov. 22
Bow Ridge/Meadows/Crawford/Jumping Pound Wednesday, Nov. 24
Riversong/River Heights/ Riviera/Willows Friday, Nov. 26
West Valley/Terrace/Pointe Monday, Nov. 29
Glenbow Wednesday, Dec. 1
East End/Sunterra/Cochrane Heights Friday, Dec. 3
Gleneagles Monday, Dec. 6
Riverview/Willows Wednesday, Dec. 8

Crews will be accepting gift cards, unwrapped gifts, and nonperishable food items.

RCMP Cst. Nathan Moore participated last year and speaks highly of the generosity demonstrated by Cochranites. He's looking forward to being part of the parades again.

"With my position, I can make sure that I'm there to be out and about, wave at the kids, flash the lights, and turn on the siren a little bit here and there. It's just a great experience to see the people coming out happy to see police and fire."

He'll be joined by others from the detachment as well as Victim Services.

Fire Inspector Jeff Avery says Cochrane Fire Services will do what they can to support this cause and he salutes both the Cochrane Activettes and Town Councillor Marni Fedeyko for organizing the parades.

"This is a great cause, and Cochranites always rise to the challenge at Christmas time with donations of food and everything. We're definitely looking forward to it. It's one of our fun events of the year."

Watch for updates as the parades draw closer.