It takes more than a global pandemic to stop Calgary Stampeders defensive line coach Corey Mace from cancelling his annual turkey drive to support the Airdrie Food Bank (AFB).
“There are so many people who are in need,” Mace said. “If there is anything I could do to keep the tradition going, we were going to do it. While the traditional sense of the turkey drive, we are not able to do this year, at the end of the day, the goal remains the same – to help those who need it with a smile on our faces.”
Because of the pandemic, there will be no traditional turkey drive this year. Instead, the Airdrie Food Bank and Mace are asking for donations and have set up an online auction through airdriefoodbank.com. In addition, the Calgary Stampeders have pledged to donate $5,000 toward the initiative.
“I can’t give out exact numbers, but we are en route to breaking some all-time highs this year,” Mace said. “We are trending forward, it’s looking really good.”
Auction items, which will be up for grabs until Dec. 19, include an autographed Matthew Tkachuk Calgary Flames Jersey, a Calgary Stampeders fan pack that includes a signed helmet and jersey among other items, dinner with Mace, a corporate commercial video shoot and a package for Sunshine Ski Resort.
Christine Taylor, manager of events, marketing and communications with AFB, said the organization is thankful for Mace’s continued efforts to help out during the holiday season.
“Mace is seriously one of the nicest, sweetest and most caring guys out there,” said Taylor. “He has helped us so much over the years.”
Last year, according to Taylor, Mace’s turkey drive raised approximately $12,000 and gathered 1,000 turkeys to support families in Airdrie. While the drive may look a little different this year, Taylor said she is grateful the support continues to come in.
“We never have a fundraising goal in our minds,” she said. “I know it sounds cliché, but we are grateful for whatever donations come in – it doesn’t matter if it's $1 or $5,000. It all means the same to us, which is [that] people cared enough to help out their neighbours.”
AFB called out for community donations recently, after announcing shortages at the food bank and the last-minute cancellation of the Mayor’s Drive-thru Food Drive event. Despite these setbacks, Taylor said operations are looking good as AFB heads into the holiday season.
“The community has really stepped up,” she said. “You tell people your story, the story hits people hard and they come through for us.”
Mace said he wanted to ensure the community understands how important their participation in the event is.
“I can’t thank people enough for the support,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s about people being selfless and helping others. That is crazy important, and we are so grateful.”
Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz
