County of 40 Mile: Christmas markets and acts of kindness

Posted on November 28, 2024 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

The holiday season is upon us and with that comes one of the most anticipated series of events – holiday markets! 

Corina Roth-Beacome, 40 Mile CRC & FCSS, shares that the Foremost Christmas Market was a huge success. 

“It was incredible! We had around 32 vendors and 180 to 200 people go through,” she notes.

One thing that transcends seasons, however, is kindness and 40 Mile CRC & FCSS are ensuring everyone can give and experience that kindness all year long.

Roth-Beacome explains, “Pink Week was our initiative through 40 Mile CRC & FCSS and a partnership with the province of Alberta and the three surrounding municipalities. It was our opportunity to celebrate November’s Prevention of Family Violence and the Pink Shirt anti-bullying campaign. So, we championed that week, but we preferred to classify it as Kindness Week. We remind everybody that you don’t wear a pink shirt just one day a year, you practice kindness every day. Pink Week is our opportunity to go into schools and discuss different ways to show kindness and make a difference in our communities right from junior kindergarten up to high school. We also talk about character and what that means for future employment when people are looking at what your character is while you’re in school and in the community, and how kindness makes a difference.”

They didn’t stop there; 40 Mile CRC & FCSS took Pink Week into the business community too.

“We go to all of our local businesses and we provide them with pink donuts and pens to distribute to demonstrate that they will stand up and be kind and that they are role models for the next generation. Just again, trying to remind everybody the difference that we all can make, and it doesn’t take a lot. It’s a kind word, a kind smile, or a gesture to make a difference in the lives of those people that we impact.”

She notes that the energy from Pink Week truly does resonate, as children from the schools they visit tell them about the acts of kindness they have done and business teams were dressed in pink waiting for the 40 Mile CRC & FCSS delegates to show up. Additionally, the schools have been challenged to keep a kindness book that will be presented to 40 Mile CRC & FCSS next year.

With random acts of kindness taking place across the County and Christmas markets in full swing, could there be any more sources of seasonal cheer? Yes! Free family skating, sponsored in part by Capital Power, is offered in the Village of Foremost and the Town of Bow Island. For times and details, check the local arenas’ event listings.

“That is a chance for families to celebrate the season with a fun, cost-free activity,” smiles Roth-Beacome. 

Don’t forget, for parents, caregivers and guardians looking for enrichment activities for their children and time to connect with other adults, 40 Mile CRC & FCSS in partnership with the Susan Anderson Library hosts pre-school story time in Bow Island (Fridays) and Foremost (Thursdays).

Holiday markets, acts of kindness, skating, story time – these are just some of the events lighting up the season. Get all the details and times on 40 Mile CRC &FCSS event calendar and social media feeds. Enjoy the activities and post how you are enjoying what the community has to offer this Christmas season.