Increased need expected as annual Share Your Christmas program kicks off

Every year hundreds of Cochrane and area families get to enjoy a magical Christmas thanks to the hard work of the Cochrane Activettes. 

The annual Share Your Christmas program is off and running for the season. 

The volunteer group is accepting donations of non-perishable food, unwrapped toys, children’s PJ’s, toques, mitts, gloves, scarves and socks.

Sue Lunnin, president of the Cochrane Activettes says it takes a whole team to put it all together. 

"Our Activette ladies, but also community volunteers that come in. We have shifts throughout a certain time that we will be putting the toy bags together and also the food hampers, so there's lots of need in that preparation."  

The group delivers hampers filled with clothing, toys and food to local families in need. 

Jennifer Wanner & Lauren Meister of CochraneNow help pack toys at Toyland as part of the 2022 Share Your Christmas program 

Every year the need continues to grow and Lunnin says this year is no different. 

"It is a really difficult time for everyone out there right now. We did provide 340 hampers last year, and we do expect to be at over 400 this year."  

Donation bins are set up at multiple places throughout the community, including at 91.5 CochraneNow. 

Donations will be accepted until December 4th.

The hampers will be distributed to families on Dec. 16th.

One thing different this year to note, the group has "Decided to not accept clothing donations for this year's Share Your Christmas program as the logistics of handing out sized clothing has been difficult to manage, the last few years." according to a post on the Cochrane Activettes Facebook page. 

Cochranites are also welcome to make a monetary donation and that can be mailed to:

Cochrane Activettes Food Bank
Box 535
Cochrane AB
T4C 1A7

If you know of a family who could benefit from a hamper, you can call 587-229-3235.

Stuff-A-Bus is set to go on Saturday, Dec. 9, with donations to be contributed to the hampers. 

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