Corey Mace, defensive line coach of the Calgary Stampeders and Grey Cup Champion, finished a turkey and ham drive he was spearheading this weekend where he came to Airdrie on Saturday to collect turkeys, hams and monetary donations for food banks,

On Monday, Mace returned to Airdrie to deliver some of the donations to the Airdrie Food Bank. 

He says he was impressed with the number of donations collected over the weekend.

"We got a little bit over (our goal), we had set the bar for 500 and we definitely passed it."

Although Airdrie did not receive all of the food donations, mace says the Airdrie Food Bank saw most of them.

"I would say 90 percent fo the donations are coming to the Airdrie Food Bank, so whatever 90 percent of 1061 is, that is what Airdrie Food Bank is getting."

Mace says the turn out on Saturday was incredible, and that it was nice getting to interact with the people of a community he loves.

"It was awesome. It was really nice to connect with local residents and see familiar faces who had donated the year before and just catching up, especially after a grey cup victory and getting all the congratulations. You can definitely see al the hearts people have on them that they come out and spend their hard-earned money and time to donate to this cause and that's why I love giving back to this community. The people here are sensational."

Mace really connected with various employees of the Airdrie Food Bank and felt compelled to help out specifically within the Airdrie community.

"A lot of the decisions I make (are off) feel and vibe, and anyone who has come to the Airdrie Food Bank and met Laurie here knows exactly what I'm talking about. We clicked and had a good vibe, and she has a great heart and it turns out everybody who works here does as well. Not only those who work here, but all the residents I've come in contact with the over the last six years have also been phenomenal people. As long as I'm associated with the Stampeders here in Calgary, I'll always be coming back to Airdrie."

If you have the ability and means to donate or volunteer, Mace believes you should do so.

"If you have an opportunity to do so, why wouldn't you? I know there are people who have fallen on hard times based on the economy, but even when the economy is booming (you see people) wanting to give back. I myself (grew) up in a single parent home and for a short amount of time we definitely had to rely on things like this to get by and there's no shame in that at all. I'm just lucky enough that I have a Grey Cup behind my name and that brings out a lot of people. I will use anyway by any means necessary to help people out, it's just the way I was raised and if there are people in need and I can (help) I'll definitely do it. Obviously its (not just me), there are thousands of people who gave to this to make this work."

With the holidays fast approaching, Mace would like to thank everyone who came out to donate this weekend.

"I want to just wish a Happy Holidays to all the Airdrie residents, just know that Corey Mace loves you, the Stamps love you. Hopefully, you'll keep supporting us, and we'll keep supporting you. Happy Holidays!"

 

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