A new way to give to those in need was started by an Airdrie mom, Angel Rose.

Inspired by sites like Freecycle, Rose wanted to start a group that would help community members not only clean out their closets but give back to families in need.

"What we wanted to do was kind of like an idea of neighbors coming together, friends helping friends, so that's where 'The Cool Giveaway' was formed. We wanted to make a forum where people could freely ask if they needed help and to be able to de-clutter their houses and know that their items would go to somewhere that they would be appreciated."

Rose started the group on Facebook just before Christmas with inspiration to help families that were struggling due to Alberta's economy.

"We had families messaging us and asking, 'Hey I don't want to put my name out there you know but the oil and gas industry has gotten us down and we just need a little bit of help.' Some people, they needed some toys under the trees for their kids and some people just didn't have anything in their cupboards at all."

"What we would do is post anonymously for them and we would either go do the pickup runs for them or I would be a drop off point for them, just the community would come together on that one anonymous post and say, 'Okay I've got this and I've got that,' well little by little if everybody just gave one small item from their pantry they've just fed an entire family."

To create a more fair way to give away items, Rose set up some rules including setting up fun ways to select the person receiving the item.

"Giving people the option on how to give, it's not just a first comment basis, that is an option if people just want to get rid of their stuff, that's okay too, I mean it's great to help with spring cleaning, with whatever, but a lot of times people are like, 'I've got a Nintendo Wii, well I want to give it away but I don't necessarily want it to just go to anybody.'"

"I'll make some game rules and see if people want to play along," added Rose. "It's entertaining for me and it will also be a fun game right, a draw, so it adds a little bit of entertainment to giving."

Over the last 3 months over 2,000 members have joined the group, reaching past Airdrie into Calgary as well as the town of Irricana.

"It's about a community coming together as one, to help each other out, and feel good about where your gifts are going. Every act of kindness, no matter how big or small, creates an endless ripple."

Leah Crawford - airdrienews@goldenwestradio.com