Community

Harold Sharkey, Leanne Meyers and Brad King as they shopped to gather ingredients and supplies for the Christmas dinner they prepared for the Hub. Submitted/ Harold Sharkey.

Wetaskiwin locals make Christmas dinner for 24/7 Integrated Response Hub

Full turkey dinner and sides donated to Wetaskiwin’s Integrated Response Hub this Christmas.

Harold Sharkey, Leanne Meyers and Brad King as they shopped to gather ingredients and supplies for the Christmas dinner they prepared for the Hub. Submitted/ Harold Sharkey.
3-year-old Nathaniel O’Blenis holding the chocolate bear that Gary the garbage man gave him. Photo/ Amanda O’Blenis. 3-year-old Nathaniel O’Blenis holding the chocolate bear that Gary the garbage man gave him. Photo/ Amanda O’Blenis.

Wetaskiwin boy tracks down his favourite garbage man to give him a Christmas gift

Community gets behind local Wetaskiwin mom and son in their quest to find Gary the garbage man.

3-year-old Nathaniel O’Blenis holding the chocolate bear that Gary the garbage man gave him. Photo/ Amanda O’Blenis. 3-year-old Nathaniel O’Blenis holding the chocolate bear that Gary the garbage man gave him. Photo/ Amanda O’Blenis.
Photo by Andrea Swainson

Sounds of the Season: Together in Song

A virtual Christmas Concert by local performers presented by Sylvan Lake News

Photo by Andrea Swainson
Photo/ Facebook: Samson Cree Nation

Santa visits Maskwacis with the help of Maskwacis RCMP

Maskwacis RCMP assisted Santa on his mission to hand out toys to the children of Maskwacis.

Photo/ Facebook: Samson Cree Nation
Co-founders of A Better World Eric Rajah and Brian Leavitt on one of their past trips to Kenya. (Photo contributed)

Lacombe’s A Better World celebrates 30th anniversary

The charity gives back to children both locally and internationally

Co-founders of A Better World Eric Rajah and Brian Leavitt on one of their past trips to Kenya. (Photo contributed)
The Hultink family (pictured) are lifelong Lacombe residents and try to give back to the community whenever they can. The oldest son Tyler (right) has been diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour and is currently recovering from surgery. (Photo contributed)

Lacombe gives back to family of 13-year-old with serious brain tumour

The Hultink family’s world was changed last week when their oldest son was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour

The Hultink family (pictured) are lifelong Lacombe residents and try to give back to the community whenever they can. The oldest son Tyler (right) has been diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour and is currently recovering from surgery. (Photo contributed)
New Coats for Kids helps children stay warm by providing donations for new winter gear to those in need. Photo courtesy of Lacombe and District FCSS

Lacombe based charity donates $5,000 to FCSS New Coats for Kids program

The donation from A Better World will allow many children the ability to stay warm this winter

New Coats for Kids helps children stay warm by providing donations for new winter gear to those in need. Photo courtesy of Lacombe and District FCSS
The annual holiday fundraiser is seeking donations for teens as enrollment in Santa’s Anonymous program is on the rise this year. Photo contributed.

Santa’s Anonymous seeking more donations as demand for the program is up

The program is specifically seeking items for teenagers

The annual holiday fundraiser is seeking donations for teens as enrollment in Santa’s Anonymous program is on the rise this year. Photo contributed.
Nova Chemicals employee Olivia loads food boxes to be dropped off to the residents of Amethyst House on Dec.7. (Photo contributed)

Nova Chemicals Joffre Site shares holiday magic with local donations

The Joffre site Employee Social club supported various central Alberta non-profits this holiday season

Nova Chemicals employee Olivia loads food boxes to be dropped off to the residents of Amethyst House on Dec.7. (Photo contributed)
The home of Ramie and Alexis Tucker, located at 97 Lakeway Blvd., is a brightly lit holiday spectacle, one the locals look forward to every year. (Photo Submitted)

Brightly lit Sylvan Lake house a local holiday tradition

Locals look forward to the holiday spectacle put together every year at Ramie and Alexis Tucker’s

The home of Ramie and Alexis Tucker, located at 97 Lakeway Blvd., is a brightly lit holiday spectacle, one the locals look forward to every year. (Photo Submitted)
Guest chef Colin Hodgson (top left), Cilantro and Chive Owners Kim and Rieley Kay, KidSport Alberta Development and Communications Manager Nick Davies, KidSport Alberta Executive Director Greg Ingalls, KidSport Alberta Board Chair Rob Signoretti and KidSport Alberta Financial Manager Debra Kluck all meet virtually to accept the Burger of the Month donation. (Photo contributed by Cilantro and Chive)

Cilantro and Chive raise $1,060 for KidSport with November Burger of the Month

Guest chef Colin Hodgson chose the charity because he values access to sports

Guest chef Colin Hodgson (top left), Cilantro and Chive Owners Kim and Rieley Kay, KidSport Alberta Development and Communications Manager Nick Davies, KidSport Alberta Executive Director Greg Ingalls, KidSport Alberta Board Chair Rob Signoretti and KidSport Alberta Financial Manager Debra Kluck all meet virtually to accept the Burger of the Month donation. (Photo contributed by Cilantro and Chive)
MEGlobal presented a cheque for $161,348 to a representative from United Way of Central Alberta. (Photo contributed)

Generous MEGlobal Prentiss employees help to raise $161,348 for United Way of Central Alberta

Donations in 2020 broke a record for the most money raised since 2004

MEGlobal presented a cheque for $161,348 to a representative from United Way of Central Alberta. (Photo contributed)
Cilantro and Chive co-owner Kim Kay (left) presented the cheque to Terrace Ridge School Principal Deborah Van Delden along with Ivor Timmerman and Assistant Principal Marcia McWhinnie on Dec. 4. Photo courtesy Cilantro and Chive

Cilantro and Chive resumes school ice cream program after a break due to COVID-19

The program raised $1,090 for Terrace Ridge School after resuming in September

Cilantro and Chive co-owner Kim Kay (left) presented the cheque to Terrace Ridge School Principal Deborah Van Delden along with Ivor Timmerman and Assistant Principal Marcia McWhinnie on Dec. 4. Photo courtesy Cilantro and Chive
Tom Ford poses for a photo alongside some of the fruit cake which was made using his super secret recipe. ford has been making and selling the Christmas cake for 19 years, but since moving into the Manor he agreed to allow ladies at the United Church to make it for him. (Photo by Leah Bousfield)

Rimbey United Church keeping local holiday tradition alive

A small group of women worked with Tom Ford to bake and sell his holiday fruit cakes this year

Tom Ford poses for a photo alongside some of the fruit cake which was made using his super secret recipe. ford has been making and selling the Christmas cake for 19 years, but since moving into the Manor he agreed to allow ladies at the United Church to make it for him. (Photo by Leah Bousfield)
Wendy Loades from Head Hunters Salon with her 2020 wreath. Photo courtesy Big Brothers Big Sisters

Lacombe and Blackfalds Festival of Wreaths moves online for 10th anniversary

The wreaths can be viewed online or at the Lacombe Memorial Centre and Abbey Centre

Wendy Loades from Head Hunters Salon with her 2020 wreath. Photo courtesy Big Brothers Big Sisters
A hospital member helps to pack up the donated Christmas gifts outside the Lacombe Hospital on Dec. 4 (Alannah Page/Lacombe Express)

Adopt-A-Grandparent program helps a record number of seniors in Lacombe and Bentley

The program aims to connect local seniors with community members for the holidays

A hospital member helps to pack up the donated Christmas gifts outside the Lacombe Hospital on Dec. 4 (Alannah Page/Lacombe Express)
(Black Press File Photo)

Rimbey woman gathering Christmas gifts for seniors at Valleyview Manor

Margaret Tanasiuk says she doesn’t want anyone to feel forgotten on Christmas morning

(Black Press File Photo)
Debbi Gallant has a degree in criminal justice and a passion for helping her community which is why she was awarded the 2020 Alberta Community and Justice Award. Photo courtesy of Debbi Gallant

Lacombe resident presented with Alberta Community Justice award

Debbi Gallant was quick to mention that the award should be shared amongst the community

Debbi Gallant has a degree in criminal justice and a passion for helping her community which is why she was awarded the 2020 Alberta Community and Justice Award. Photo courtesy of Debbi Gallant
The lights outside the Lacombe Memorial Centre have been lit since early November. (Alannah Page/Lacombe Express)

Lacombe’s Light Up the Night has officially begun

The light displays will be available all weekend

The lights outside the Lacombe Memorial Centre have been lit since early November. (Alannah Page/Lacombe Express)
The Town of Blackfalds cancelled the annual Light Up Blackfalds event but still plans on hosting a light show and music performance. Image is a screenshot from the Town of Blackfalds promotional video.

Town of Blackfalds is hosting a modified winter wonderland for 14th annual festival

The event will have an outdoor light and music show

The Town of Blackfalds cancelled the annual Light Up Blackfalds event but still plans on hosting a light show and music performance. Image is a screenshot from the Town of Blackfalds promotional video.