More than a thousand pounds of food collected at Candy Cane Run

Every piece of equipment in the Seven Persons fire department fleet was put to good use on Sunday evening as volunteer firefighters went through the community collecting food for the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank and spreading some Christmas cheer along the way.

The Dec. 9 Seven Persons Candy Cane Run, is an annual event hosted by the local volunteer fire department as a way for the firefighters to spread Christmas cheer, collect food donations, and raise some awareness to fire prevention.

Justin Derzaph, fire chief said they collect for the food bank because it is an organization that serves the rural areas and the need for the service has been increasing.

"The need is there and growing," said Derzaph, adding while they go to approximate 100 residences collecting food and cash donations, they hand out candy canes and 9-volt batteries for smoke detectors.

"Our goal is to spread some Christmas cheer, collect for the Food Bank, and do a little fire prevention," he said.

Each fire and rescue truck was beautifully decorated and Santa had the seat of honour, on top of the fire truck, with a decorated vintage truck driven by Mani Eichelbaum and a hay ride carrying local kids and moms and driven by Clayton Knelsen accompanying the parade through town.

A number of uniformed firefighter walked alongside the vehicles as they passed every house, collecting donations and handing out treats. Members from the Irvine, Walsh, and Box Spring volunteer fire departments joined their fellow firefighters from Seven Persons.

They collected 1,002 lbs of food donations and monetary equivalent for the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank which serves residents in Cypress County and Redcliff, as well as the people of Medicine Hat.

THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR: As was displayed on the back of the fire truck, the Seven Persons volunteer fire department wishes everybody a Merry Christmas.

Photos by Jamie Rieger While Santa Claus was riding high atop of the fire truck, a mom and her little girl rode along inside the truck.

Some kids and moms bundled up for the hay ride, that was being driven by Clayton Knelsen.

Candida and Marvin Spackman, representing the Walsh and Irvine volunteer fire departments helped their Seven Persons colleagues spread Christmas cheer and collect food items for the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank. Their son, Brandon ( not pictured) also participated, representing the Box Springs volunteer fire department.

Local resident, Mani Eichelbaum decorated his vintage truck and traveled with the group as they made their way to all the residences in Seven Persons.

Two members of the Seven Persons volunteer fire department man the food bank truck that was donated for the event.