A group of local businesses decided to come together to create 100 ‘Blessing Bags’ to benefit two schools in Emerald Park.

Michelle Strawford, owner of Bella Chic, says even though local businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic, they wanted to help the community.

“It started out with a wish to help that person you see outside of McDonald’s, or on the highway. They’re cold, and you want to just give them a gift,” said Strawford. “In these bags, we had planned things to be warm, so mitts, toques, socks, handwarmers, and then non-perishable food and things like that.”

Strawford says it felt amazing to be able to give back to the community despite economic hardships some businesses are facing.

“We’re all struggling right now, and I feel like, especially for businesses who don’t know what the future of our businesses are, to reach into our pockets to donate is not always an easy ask,” said Strawford. “But people were more generous than ever to give us their time and their money, and honestly the emotional value of being together and doing this together was so powerful.”

The businesses who contributed to the project are:

IGA Emerald Park
Sweet and Sassy Boutique
Limelabel.ca
Cheekie Bath & Both
Lynette McGill & BOSS ATHLETICS
Ramada Emerald Park
Wine Craft
Geraldine Kuzmicz
Mackenzie Kulcsar
Bella Chic
Shelly Brogden & friends
East Plains Counselling and Assessment
Normanview Dental
Emerald Park Dental Clinic
Janice Waldegger – Monet
Sherry Pratt Health Coach
Kodiak Property Management
What Women Want
Town of White City
BasketCases

Strawford says due to COVID-19, some schools can’t go ahead with some of their holiday traditions, so their reaction to receiving the Blessing Bags was one of gratitude.

“This helps fill a void where they can still gift the families, who need it most, items during this time,” said Strawford.

She adds there is already a number of businesses looking to be a part of the project next year.