The Airdrie Lioness Christmas Hamper Program were accepting donations from all over the city, with volunteers dropping off donations and members accepting donations in six different grocery stores around the city.

President of the Airdrie Lioness Society Rhonda Auclair says that the Hamper program is meant to help Airdrie families and families in surrounding areas.

"The goal of the Airdrie Lioness Christmas Hamper Program is to provide hampers, which (include) a week of food, plus Christmas dinner, plus a gift for everyone in the family to all of those who are in need in the city and the surrounding area of Airdrie."

And the residents of Airdrie did not disappoint.

"We had an absolutely amazing, awesome participation from the City of Airdrie."

Due to missing last years goal, the Hamper Program had to increase this year's goal to $5,000 of cash, groceries and gift cards. However, locals went above and beyond.

"Not only did we meet our $5,000 goal, but we achieved $12,583.70 worth of groceries, cash and gift cards. We are absolutely thrilled and would like to thank the community of Airdrie, all of our volunteers and all of our members for their generous, loving spirit to give back to the needy in Airdrie in time for Christmas."

Auclair says that the big donations were very much needed due to the number of families the program helped last year.

"We've, in the past, had over 350 families that we've given hampers to and we're anticipating that need will be the same or greater this year."

Airdrie locals are going to be given another chance to donate to the Hamper Program at the charity hockey game being put on by the Sirens Lip Sync Challenge on November 24th. Airdrie police and Me's will play the Fire Department and EMS for the chance to force the other team to lip sync to a song of their choosing.

Entrance to the game costs only a toy donation.

"We're looking for everyone to come out and donate some toys on that evening and it's all going to go to the children of the Airdrie Lioness families."

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