The Kiwanis Club of Cochrane has recognized the Town of Cochrane with an honourary membership for its contribution to the annual Christmas Toy Project.

Accompanied by Kiwanis Western Canada Governor Doreen Soderberg, local club president Ronald Gosselin saluted the town for their support of its annual Christmas Kids Toy Project.

Gosselin says the town provided a $1,700 grant towards the $4,000 project. In addition, they recognized Mayor Jeff Genung and councillor Marni Fedeyko for playing an active role on the day of the project.

"The town has been very good to us in terms of supporting our Christmas Toy Project. We bring disadvantaged kids to Walmart and give them a $40 gift certificate to go shop for their own toy. There's face painting, balloons, teddy bears and stuff like that, so it's a real party for them."

"The overall cost of the project is $4,000, but still the $1,700 was very appreciated,": says Gosselin.

Spray Lake Sawmills and the Totem Foundation also made significant financial contributions. As well, players from the Cochrane Generals were on hand to assist the youth. 

In its second year, the project allowed 96 local youth to shop for toys, nearly double the 53 from the inaugural event.

Next year, Gosselin says they hope to be able to reach out to 150 kids.

Another featured project of the club will in the spotlight later this spring. The club is preparing 40 recycled bikes. They will be donated to youth, complete with helmets.

Gosselin says a kid's party will be organized for the day the bikes are presented.

Kiwanis Western Canada Governor Soderberg has been a member of the organization for 15 years.

"Kiwanis is all about children," she explains.

"What's great about it is that what you develop in the community, stays there, so we try to meet the needs of our community."

She was excited to see the new club established here in October 2018.

"I have been wanting to have Kiwanis here for a number of years. My base goal was to get Kiwanis in our community. I'm so excited to say that it's here, we're here to stay, and we're going to really try and help the kids in our community."

Worldwide, there are over 550,000 Kiwanis. 

Among their local fundraisers is Chase the Ace. Weekly on Saturdays, people can enter for a chance to win a pot that grows until the winning card is pulled.

Currently, the pot sits at $750 with 38 cards remaining in the deck. The next chance to enter is this Saturday at The Iron Bridge, 240 Riverview Dr., starting at 6 p.m. The draw will be made at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5.

You can find more details about the Cochrane Kiwanis Club here.