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Charity Checkstop set to return to Sylvan Lake

If you see flashing red and blues along 47 Ave. on Saturday - don’t panic. The annual Charity Checkstop is returning to Sylvan Lake
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COMMUNITY SUPPORT - Nicole Lundberg

If you see flashing red and blues along 47 Ave. on Saturday - don’t panic. The annual Charity Checkstop is returning to Sylvan Lake this weekend.

On Saturday, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the 16th Annual Sylvan Lake R.C.M.P. Charity Checkstop will take place with all proceeds going to support SylvanLake, Bentley, and Eckville Christmas Bureau’s, food banks and other local charities. The checkstop will be located between McDonalds and Sobeys onceagain.

The Sylvan Lake R.C.M.P. Charity Check Stop was once again in 2015 with the Sylvan Lake Fire Department, R.C.M.P., Victim Services and Bylaw Officerscollecting truck loads of toys, food and around $9,000 in cash.

This event is annually organized by the team at Sylvan Lake and District Victim Services. Jennifer Plotnikoff, Program Coordinator for Victim Services,explained the event is a great way for emergency services crews to give back to those in need during the holiday season. Each year the crews coordinate tospan to both sides of the road and the support never ceases to amaze organizers, said Plotnikoff.

She explained not only do adults respond well to the event, but the children in passing vehicles are often the ones who blow the officers away during thecheck stop.

“The children really respond well to being able to pass off a donation to the food bank or a toy to an officer during the check stop,” said Plotnikoff. “Monty,the RCMP safety bear, will also be in attendance this year and hopefully we will have Sparky, the safety dog, from the Fire Department as well.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

FURRY FRIEND - Sylvan Lake Fire Department mascot, Sparky, gets a smooch from a passing German Shepherd during the 2015 Charity Check Stopheld in Sylvan Lake. Sylvan Lake News File Photo

Plotnikoff added contributions of unwrapped new toys, or non-perishable food items and cash donations are all welcome.

“The success of this event isn’t the amount of money raised - it’s seeing the community come together,” she added. “All the communities for that matter -Eckville, Bentley, the surrounding summer villages - when the public comes together that is more than enough said. It’s pretty moving.”

The 2016 Sylvan Lake R.C.M.P. Charity Checkstop will take place on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. between McDonalds and Sobeys.

For more information contact, Jennifer Plotnikoff at Sylvan Lake and District Victim Services by phoning 403 858 7255.

 

 

 

HEFTY DONATIONS - Bob Mcdougall of the Sylvan Lake Fire Dept. accepts a donation from an oncoming vehicle during the 2015 Charity Check Stopheld in support of local agencies over the weekend. Sylvan Lake News File Photo