5 ways to make an impact with Giving Tuesday and local nonprofits

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Cochrane businesses and nonprofits make giving back to our community during the holiday season a fun and generous way to connect with others who call our area home.

This year, you’ll find dedicated and reputable charities to donate to through Giving Tuesday events, donations, and sponsorship.

Here are 5 great ways to share the love and support our community this season.

1. Find local nonprofits on Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday started as the simple idea that showing up can make a difference. It’s since grown into a global movement that’s a testament to the power of individuals and organizations who are driven to achieve their missions and visions of change.

Businesses, schools, and local movements can all register to give back to your favourite cause, while charities and nonprofits can become a partner and make receiving donations simple through the Giving Tuesday website. In Cochrane, there are several ways to get involved and give back on Giving Tuesday, which falls on November 29, 2022. Find local causes to support here.

2. Protect Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park

This year, Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation is hosting the Steward an Acre Program to protect 3,200 acres of plants, animals, wetlands, riverbanks, and forests. Preserving Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park plays a crucial role in the ability to maintain a healthy and safe community—it reduces risk of floods, cleans water, prevents erosion, and stores carbon.

Each sponsorship of $150 goes directly to the provincial park’s preservation, ongoing conservation programming, and education. Make your donation through the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation website and give a gift that keeps on giving.

3. Feast on delicious pie at Robinson Outreach at Rivercross Ranch (ROARR)

Support Giving Tuesday with an initiative that’s as easy—and sweet—as pie! Until November 29, make a donation of $100 or more to ROARR and receive your very own pie. Freshly baked by the ROARR team, pies can be picked up (and eaten!) at their Open House event on November 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At the Open House, experience the Equine Assisted Learning therapies and programs ROARR provides to youth and elderly in need. Head to the ROARR website to make a donation and acquire your sweet treat while helping ROARR continue their life-changing work.

4. Get your photo taken with Santa at Four Cubs Children’s Boutique

Meet the big man himself! Four Cubs Children’s Boutique is hosting Santa for five days in-store—book your spot to take photos with him! Pictures are free and all proceeds go to local charity, Helping Families Handle Cancer.

Or, fill a bag for “Pack a Purse” and bring it with you for your Santa photos. The initiative is a partnership between the boutique and a Calgary podcast, aimed to fill new or gently used purses with toiletries and other essential items for families who need them.

5. Stuff-A-Bus and get a photo with Santa

The wheels on this bus go ’round and ’round—to deliver Christmas cheer! Cochrane and Area Events Society’s annual Stuff-A-Bus event ensures children from the Cochrane area receive a holiday gift.

On December 10, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., come visit Santa Claus and drop off a new, unwrapped toy, nonperishable food items, or make a financial donation. All donations will be forwarded to the Cochrane Activettes’ Share Your Christmas Hamper Program. Don’t forget to register for your free photo with Santa!

Give back to your community

When you give back to your community, you allow local nonprofits and organizations to continue their vital work of supporting those in need. Your donations make a tangible impact and continue to change lives for the holiday season and beyond. Find charities to donate to and see how you can get involved to make the season merry and bright.

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