A local artist is on a mission to spread some holiday cheer to seniors in the Cochrane community.

MJ Stead has become a familiar name, many Cochranites have come to know her from her Facebook group 'Paint with MJ.' 

Stead started the group to offer free online art classes during the early days of the COVID lockdown. She wanted to give local kids a fun, artistic outlet to fill their time and release some stress. Now, with 23 hundred families registered Stead's initiatives have a far reach.

Stead's latest initiative is to ensure that as many seniors as possible in continuing care facilities in Cochrane receive a handmade card for Christmas.

"I had this idea that it would be nice for the seniors who have been isolated for so long to get a homemade card," says Stead. "It just kind of evolved from there, I was just going to do one senior's home, 120 cards, but it looks like I'm going to have about 400 cards, probably 500."

With the help of others in the community Stead has arranged for a mailbox, donated by Home Hardware in Cochrane to be set up outside of Save On Foods. She says that there has already been widespread community support for the initiative.

"I've had schools and Brownie Troops and Girl Guides and ringette teams," says Stead. "It's crazy, there's seniors making cards for seniors."

Stead is inviting the community to participate in this initiative. She says the cards will be collected and distributed at the end of the weekend.

"I've extended the drop-off date until Sunday," says stead. "Make a homemade card, write a little note to a senior, let them know you care."

The mailbox is set up outside the front entrance of Save On Foods in Cochrane on 65 Bow Street.