EnCana steps up to sponsor local charity

EnCana is stepping up to support an Airdrie charity this holiday season.

EnCana Corporation sponsored the Airdrie Food Bank float during the Santa Claus Parade, Dec. 1. The organization is also donating money to the Airdrie Food Bank and hosting a family friendly New Year’s Eve party at the Festival of Lights in Nose Creek Park.

“We applied for sponsorship and (EnCana) responded and said they would like to work in our community,” said Lori McRitchie, executive director of the Airdrie Food Bank. “They have been amazing to work with. We are thrilled with the leadership role they are taking.”

The Santa Claus Parade float was a chuckwagon and Mark Sutherland, a World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) driver, attended the event with other WPCA VIPs and rodeo royalty. Sutherland, along with the chuckwagon, will also attend the Festival of Lights on Dec. 10. Attendees are encouraged to fill the chuckwagon with nonperishable food for the Airdrie Food Bank.

EnCana representatives will host a cheque presentation to the Airdrie Food Bank that night, for an undisclosed amount. The money will be used to build the food bank’s new 6,000-square-foot facility. Construction will likely start on the building next spring.

According to Mike Forgo, vice-president of Encana business services and stakeholder relations, Encana’s support of Airdrie’s Food Bank is part of a larger program.

“Encana stepped up its involvement in support of food banks in the communities where we operate a few years ago when we launched the Race Against Hunger program,” he said. “

EnCana’s New Year’s Eve party will start at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 and will continue until 9 p.m. The event will include a dance, party and games and will end with a fireworks display, sponsored by the City of Airdrie and Propak.