Parades and donation drives continue with help from local firefighters

For the seventh year in a row, Rocky View County Fire Services are participating in the Magic of Christmas Toy Drive. 

Donation boxes will be available at various Rocky View County fire halls until Thursday, December 21, and residents are urged to drop off new, unused, unwrapped gifts.

"... Rocky View County Fire Services has been involved with the Magic of Christmas - an organization that delivers gifts to over 4500 people young and old who are in care facilities.," Rocky View County stated. "Every Christmas Eve, Calgary Transit buses, magically transformed into 'reindeer buses,' with hundreds of gifts and volunteers dressed as Santa and his elves. Then, they deliver Christmas spirit into the homes and hearts of those who need it most.

The following Rocky View County Fire Stations have donation boxes available: 

• Elbow Valley – 31040 Lott Creek Dr.
• Springbank – 128 MacLaurin Dr.
• Bearspaw – 31211 Lochend Pl.
• Balzac - 291015 Rocky View Dr.
• Rocky View County Hall Office - 262075 Rocky View Pt.

And while Airdie's Santa Claus Parade occurred a few weeks ago, the neighbouring town of Crossfield is gearing up for Santa to visit this Friday, with the help of the Crossfield Fire Department.

"We have finalized the route for the Santa Parade on December 22 starting at 6 p.m. We can't make it down every street, unfortunately, but you should be able to make it to a spot where we will drive by. Note that we will not be going door to door as in previous years, this will be more of a mini parade," The Crossfield Fire Department stated on their social media. "The Firefighters and their families will be handing out candy canes to the kids who come out to watch."

Earlier this month, Airdrie's firefighters participated in several festive events, including the Santa Claus Parade, which saw Kris Kringle and Mrs. Claus atop one of the vintage fire trucks, as well as participating in the fifth annual Sirens Charity Hockey game, which raised an estimated $5,723 was raised for the Airdrie 1st Holiday Hamper Program.

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