It was truly a December to Remember for Avenue Living Communities’ (ALC) residents and communities. With community building and connecting with residents at the forefront of our operations, we felt the holiday season was the perfect time to bring people together during another challenging year.
Through holiday and gift card deliveries across various regions, a Winter Wonderland in Regina and Saskatoon, donations to local food banks and the Women’s Centre of Calgary, and a bottle drive for My LuvPak Lakeland, Avenue Living Communities initiated holiday campaigns to support our residents and those in need across our communities.
Let’s look back on our December to Remember and why it was such a memorable holiday season.
Winter Wonderland
Regina and Saskatoon, SK.
Our Regina and Saskatoon teams hosted a "Winter Wonderland" themed open house for ALC residents in their buildings. To help bring communities and residents together this holiday, Santa was there, socially distancing, but offering pictures to ALC families. They also collected donations for the food bank in their local areas.
"As 2021 was concluding, we wanted to bring moments of joy and happiness to our residents and the people who live around us. Activities like winter wonderland and food donation drives, were a small effort by the whole team to tell our residents and community that we all are in it together and we cherish this relationship. We loved meeting families and kids along with our staff members, and it was a great way to stay connected. As life comes back to normal in 2022, we are looking forward to more festive activities with our residents across the different cities,” says Trevor, Regional Vice President.
Fill the Booth for Youth Drive and Women’s Centre of Calgary Donation
Calgary, AB.
Our Fill the Booth for Youth gift drive in the Calgary office was a tremendous success. We were able to donate gifts for teens, such as sporting items, board games, headphones, art supplies, personal hygiene items, and more. Gift cards and monetary donations were also given, and we were able to make a teen’s holiday season that much brighter.
Overall, over $5,000 was donated by the Calgary team to the Women’s Centre of Calgary.
Adopt a Family Holiday Initiative
Medicine Hat, AB.
Our Medicine Hat team adopted an ALC resident family, a single mom and her two daughters, and provided them supplies and ingredients to make Christmas dinner, plus extra nonperishable food items. The family has lived with ALC for five years and is an amazing part of the Medicine Hat community.
The team was happy to give back directly to those who live with us and build a sense of community and trust at their property.
The team was also able to connect with residents in Findlay Place who greatly appreciated getting Christmas gift bags from us. One resident even said it’s her first time getting a gift from a property manager. The gift bags were a big hit and greatly appreciated, and we were happy to share some holiday spirit and treats with our residents.
“For us, it was the sheer appreciation that was in this single mother's eyes that Avenue Living Communities would do something so generous to help her out at Christmas time. We could really tell how much she appreciated it as she was crying when we showed up. We couldn't have had a better gift as to be able to do this for her and her two daughters and know how much it meant to them,” says Jennifer, Residential Portfolio Manager.
My Luv Pak Lakeland
Bonnyville, AB.
Our Bonnyville team held a bottle drive in December, collecting $300 to give back to the My Luv Pak Lakeland organization, a non-profit aiming to help each child coming into foster care. Our generous team also matched the collection, donating an additional $300 in Luv Paks.
“To be able to help these children feel a little less scared and show them there are people that care for them makes a huge difference in their lives. A smile on a child’s face, even though they face uncertainty, always warms my heart,” says Deanna, Residential Portfolio Manager.
“It warms my heart and makes me feel good that I was able to do something for the local kids in my hometown,” says Hayley, Regional Administrative Assistant.
This was a wonderful opportunity for community building and helping those in need during the holiday season.
WHL Sponsorships Giveaway
Swift Current, SK.
Our Swift Current team safely distributed holiday cards, gift certificates, and Western Hockey League’s Swift Current Broncos tickets to show appreciation to our loyal and continued residents.
Holiday Resident Appreciation Cards
ALC regions in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba
Holiday cards were safely handed out to residents across our regions by our various team members.
Light up your Living Contest
ALC regions in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba
We received over 70 entries in our Light Up Your Living contest, as residents shared beautiful holiday décor pics that brought cheer and joy to their homes and to their communities.
While 2021 had its challenges and continued to keep people apart, it’s our goal and mindset to create and foster inviting communities and help those in need in any way we can. By fostering our ‘In It Together’ mindset, we strive to lift our residents up and create a welcoming community and home. The holidays are for bringing people together and spreading joy, and we hope our initiatives help accomplish and support that.
We wish you all the best for 2022!