Crossfield Fire Department delivering hope during holiday season

On December 17, Crossfield firefighters will be out in full force in the community, but they will not be in full bunker gear as some might expect. As part of the annual Christmas hamper program, the firefighters will deliver hampers to residents across the community, which they have been doing for decades.

Crossfield resident Cheryl Longeway who has been heading the organizational aspect of the program said that this is the first year since the COVID-19 pandemic in which the hamper program has been able to operate in a normal capacity. Longeway, who is an instructor at the Academy of Learning Career College has a social service background which she has put to use in organizing the hampers for her fellow Crossfield residents. Longeway observed that inflation has hit many families hard in the small community. 

"People are calling us and saying if it wasn't for us, they wouldn't have a Christmas this year. This year, we have so many more people asking for hampers that have never gotten a hamper from us and never in their life have they had to ask for help," she said.

Longeway's spouse, Joe Holstein a veteran firefighter with the Crossfield Fire Department, said that the hamper program, in essence, is what Christmas is about.

"It's a time of giving and we are honoured [to be a part of this]. Not only are we making a Christmas for our own family, but we feel that we're making Christmases for our families in our community."

Fellow Crossfield firefighter, Beth Gabriel, who also owns Rising Sun Taekwondo in Crossfield, said that at one point as a young mother, she was once a hamper recipient.

"Now that I'm in a position where I can give back, I jump all over that opportunity," Gabriel said. "I joined the fire department not so much to be a firefighter, but because I wanted to give something back to the community that I grew up in. The hamper program is such a great way to support our community and build that relationship between the residents of Crossfield and the fire department."

Longeway added that there has been another individual in the community, who was a regular hamper recipient over the years, however, this year that the same individual has donated hundreds of dollars worth of gift cards to the hamper program. Longeway underlined that it's not the just 'paying it forward' idea that is heartwarming, but the fact that the individual is now in a place to help others. 

Another local business supporter, Danielle Norris of ATB Financial in Crossfield said her organization has partnered with the Crossfield fire department for several years now.

"It's just important for us to let them [residents] know that we're here and that we're able to support them, whether they are clients or not clients; they are here in our community and we just want to make sure that they know we're here," Norris said. "The essence of Christmas to me is coming together as a family and as a community; I'm definitely more of a giver than a receiver." 

Longeway stated the process is strictly confidential, though she has gone to great lengths to make sure each and every hamper is tailored to the families in need. While Longeway described herself as the 'hunter' in the hamper program, her sister, Angela Wigglesworth, who is also a part of the hamper program said she is more of the 'gatherer'.

"Christmas is so near and dear to my heart. Our mom made it such a special time of year for our family and we have carried on those traditions with our kids. It's just the time when we can become the best of ourselves and we can give," Wigglesworth said. "There's no greater gift to ourselves than to be able to share that love and that is really the heart of it."

Wigglesworth estimated that as of December 16, there were over 60 hampers packed and ready to be delivered, although she said that between now and Christmas eve there may be another 10 calls for hampers, amounting to around 70 Christmas hampers to be distributed for the community. 

Angela Wigglesworth said that her sons helped to pack dozens upon dozens of Christmas hampers for Crossfield's residents. (Photo by Anna Ferensowicz)

Longeway and Wigglesworth said the Airdrie Kiwanis Club was also part of the process, as they were able to procure a toy for each and every child in a family receiving a hamper, a toy that was on that child's Christmas wishlist. 

Both sisters said that while they are both proud to help their community, and humbled by the amount of support they have received from both private individual donations and local businesses, it has also meant that they have bonded. But it isn't just family bonds that are on display, it is the unifying spirit of Crossfield as a town that has also been demonstrated. 

"When our Crossfield community comes together, they're very caring and this means a lot, not only to myself as mayor, but to our council," said the Mayor of Crossfield, Jordan Harris. 

Harris also noted that the town's fire department has always been an integral part of the community, something which the hamper program only further strengthens.

"Our fire department is top-notch. They get involved in the community, they want to know our community, and for our community to know that they're there," she said. "When you're comfortable and you see firefighters in a uniform in day-to-day life; if you are ever in an emergency, you feel far more comfortable with them helping you out in that emergency because you're not scared of a uniform or if they're in their breathing apparatus."

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