For 16 years the Charity Check Stop has been spreading cheer and raising donations for local organizations and charities.

Making its return to an in-person event after the COVID-19 pandemic, the event is shaping up to be bigger than ever.

Members of Municipal Enforcement, RCMP, and Emergency Services as well as town and community members will be collecting monetary and food item donations from drivers and passersby to give back to the community.

Community Peace Officer Jessie Steele sees this as a twist on what is sometimes a nervous experience. 

"Usually check stops at any given time, especially in the Christmas season, can be a bit nerve-racking. It’s more of a negative thing but this is a positive twist.  

"This is something in light of the Christmas spirit where people come through with food bank items or money to donate to the Rowan House."

Benefiting from this year’s Charity Check Stop are the Okotoks Food Bank, Foothills Regional Victim Services and The Rowan House. Local organizations who provide vital services and help brighten the lives of many in the foothills.

Linette Soldan, Executive Director of the Rowan House looks forward to this event for a few reasons.

"We're super excited to be joining the RCMP, Emergency Services, Victim Services as well as the Food Bank, which are very crucial and important agencies that we work alongside throughout the year. Unfortunately, sometimes through some very tough and unfortunate circumstances. They have been very pivotal and key to supporting our clients through some challenging times."

"It's so important for us to be raising money during this period of time. We all know it can be a challenging time of year, but also it can also be a really great time of year because this is when we see a lot of the heart and soul of our communities come together to support our clients."

The check stop runs from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, December 8 on Milligan Drive beside the Okotoks Recreation Center.