A Cochrane family has made it their mission to help brighten the holidays for newcomers to our area.

Joan and Chris Logan are long-time residents who have called Cochrane their home for the past 17 years, and each year they find new ways of volunteering their time and giving back to the community. Joan says that this year her great-niece and nephew made a very special and selfless holiday request.

"I was very touched by the gesture of my great-niece and nephew," says Joan. "They're foregoing their own Christmas presents to help others who they know are less fortunate than themselves."

Jacey and Matthew Couch are middle school students in the Cochrane area, and this year they've requested that the money that would have been spent on a present for them, instead be used to brighten the holidays for someone else.

The kids used the funds to make gift baskets filled with essentials for the Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee's Jingle and Mingle Over Soup event taking place on Christmas Day.

"Our family is pretty multicultural actually," says Joan. "So, we know that when immigrants first come to Canada it's quite an adjustment experience. Our hearts go out to people who have the courage and need mostly for their children in many cases who look  forward to a new placement for their prosperity in the future."

Jacey and Matthew along with their great aunt, uncle and extended family have put together seven gift baskets in total to donate. Each basket is filled with home essentials and fun items for an entire family to enjoy.

Joan says that giving back to the community has always been important to her family and she's proud of her great-niece and nephew for their maturity and generosity.

The Jingle and Mingle Over Soup event is hosted by the Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee, and this year's event will be a drive-thru style to comply with COVID-19 protocols. The event is taking place on Christmas Day from 11 am to 1 pm, there's no charge to attend, however, guests are asked to register beforehand. You can find the link to register here.