Annual Christmas Feast
Christmas Feasts
Christmas Feast 2022
Baby It's Cold Outside's most exciting and well-known events is our annual Christmas Feast. Supported by fundraising events we hold throughout the year, as well as direct contributions from community partners wishing to spread holiday cheer and "anonymous angel" donations from individuals, we provide Christmas dinners for families in the Foothills area in need of a hand-up during the Christmas season.
Families in need are either self-nominated or nominated by members of their community. We also have an adopt-a-family program for those who'd like to give that way. Nominate here: [email protected] or call (403)660-3648 Donations are collected from anyone willing to contribute, and recipients are contacted to determine a menu tailored specially to their families. Near Christmas Eve, all the ingredients for a Christmas feast are delivered to the family so that they can make Christmas dinner together and feel the warmth of the season along with the support of their community. We are also looking for volunteers to help us! Email: [email protected] |
Christmas Feast 2017
Christmas Feast 2018
Christmas Feast 2019
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Previous Christmas Feast Stats:
- In 2017, BCO served 11 Foothills families, totaling 84 individuals, 26 of whom were children under the age of 13.
- Our 2018 Christmas Feast served 27 families, which totalled 128 people, and included 56 children! Thanks to so many incredibly generous donations, every child we met also had a present under the tree.
- We built on this generosity in 2019, serving 31 families for a grand total of 139 individuals, which included 68 children. Our team of 29 volunteers also made sure every child had presents under the tree!
- In 2017, BCO served 11 Foothills families, totaling 84 individuals, 26 of whom were children under the age of 13.
- Our 2018 Christmas Feast served 27 families, which totalled 128 people, and included 56 children! Thanks to so many incredibly generous donations, every child we met also had a present under the tree.
- We built on this generosity in 2019, serving 31 families for a grand total of 139 individuals, which included 68 children. Our team of 29 volunteers also made sure every child had presents under the tree!
BCO Mental Health Initiatives
Mental health has always been important to Baby it’s Cold Outside, but the Covid-19 pandemic brought our attention to the increased need for mental health support in rural Alberta. In partnership with Wellness Innovate, and through funding from the Government of Alberta, we have been grateful to be able to offer mental health support to rural Albertans through the Headstrong Program for the past two years.
This collaborative program focused on supporting people and businesses through the escalated stress and anxiety of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly rural Albertans, entrepreneurs, and SMEs (small or medium-sized businesses). Resources available through the program (free of charge) included: group coaching, one-on-one coaching, psychological services upon request, and webinars relating to mental health and well-being.
We are proud to say that the Headstrong Program was a great success, reaching an estimated 1000-1200 individuals, and 200 SME's throughout the MD of Foothills and area.
The mental health professionals who worked with the Headstrong Program found it to be “extremely effective” especially at the client level. Some of the successes they reported from their time with clients included: improved depression and anxiety management, suicide prevention, addiction treatment, improved communication skills and relationships, and healing from trauma.
What our clients had to say about the Headstrong Program in their own words:
This collaborative program focused on supporting people and businesses through the escalated stress and anxiety of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly rural Albertans, entrepreneurs, and SMEs (small or medium-sized businesses). Resources available through the program (free of charge) included: group coaching, one-on-one coaching, psychological services upon request, and webinars relating to mental health and well-being.
We are proud to say that the Headstrong Program was a great success, reaching an estimated 1000-1200 individuals, and 200 SME's throughout the MD of Foothills and area.
The mental health professionals who worked with the Headstrong Program found it to be “extremely effective” especially at the client level. Some of the successes they reported from their time with clients included: improved depression and anxiety management, suicide prevention, addiction treatment, improved communication skills and relationships, and healing from trauma.
What our clients had to say about the Headstrong Program in their own words:
Though we are moving past the Covid-19 pandemic, there is no doubt that now, more than ever, mental health support and resources are desperately needed in rural Alberta. At BCO we are highly committed to doing our part to make programs available that serve this demand. Though the Headstrong Program has ended, we are actively seeking support for new programs and as always are putting mental health at the top of our organization’s priorities.
To view recording of the various mental health webinars done through the Headstrong Program go to our YouTube page.
To view recording of the various mental health webinars done through the Headstrong Program go to our YouTube page.
Christmas Feast 2023 was a huge success!
BCO helps families in need in of a hand up in the Foothills by providing all the fixings for Christmas dinner and the gifts for the kids to support an extra-special holiday, to lesson the stress of the season, and to support our community. There are multiple ways to get involved with the program from donating gift cards, money or new unwrapped toys, to adopting-a-family to volunteering with us!
Nominations will open in October 2024 for you or someone you know who could use some help this year.
Email: [email protected] or call (403)660-3648
Delivery will be December 2024.
Thank you also to all the families, groups and individuals who have adopted families, donated toys, made gift baskets for single parents, and filled senior stockings, made monetary donations, and those who donated their time.
BCO helps families in need in of a hand up in the Foothills by providing all the fixings for Christmas dinner and the gifts for the kids to support an extra-special holiday, to lesson the stress of the season, and to support our community. There are multiple ways to get involved with the program from donating gift cards, money or new unwrapped toys, to adopting-a-family to volunteering with us!
Nominations will open in October 2024 for you or someone you know who could use some help this year.
Email: [email protected] or call (403)660-3648
Delivery will be December 2024.
Thank you also to all the families, groups and individuals who have adopted families, donated toys, made gift baskets for single parents, and filled senior stockings, made monetary donations, and those who donated their time.
