Bringing Joy and Support to the Bow Valley Community
Bow Valley Christmas Spirit is a community-driven initiative committed to spreading holiday cheer and offering vital support to families and individuals in Canmore and the MD of Bighorn.
Since our founding in 1997, we’ve been working tirelessly to ensure that everyone in our community can experience the warmth and joy of the holiday season, regardless of financial circumstances.
Each year, we help hundreds of local residents by providing grocery and toy gift cards, ensuring that the holidays are a time of celebration for all. With rising costs and increasing demand, our program is more essential than ever.
Every holiday season, Bow Valley Christmas Spirit reaches over 1,200 local residents — families, children, and seniors — with meaningful, community-driven support.
2025 Donations
Our 2025 Goal
$105,000
$5,992.59
Total as of October 31, 2025
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Annually, we support over 1,300 people in the Bow Valley.
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2025 Campaign
This year, our goal is to raise $105,000 to continue providing much-needed support. Every dollar donated helps us reach those who need it most, ensuring they have the resources to celebrate the holiday season with dignity and joy. With the increasing demand for assistance, we need your help more than ever.
2025 Applications Are Now Live!
Applications will open be November 1-30
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How You Can Help
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Donate: Your contributions go directly towards grocery and toy gift cards for local families. Donations can be made online through our secure portal, via e-transfer, or by dropping off funds at designated local businesses.
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Purchase a Gift: Our Bow Valley Elves Program is a wonderful way to get involved. Elves help purchase and deliver gifts to seniors and individuals in need, spreading holiday cheer throughout the community.
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Spread the Word: Share our mission with friends, family, and colleagues to help us reach our fundraising goal and assist even more residents.
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Our Impact
For over a decade, Bow Valley Christmas Spirit has been a beacon of hope during the holiday season. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and volunteers, we’ve made a significant impact in our community:
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Supported over 1000 families and individuals in 2023 alone, a 30% increase from 2022.
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Distributed grocery gift cards to help families purchase essentials from local businesses such as Save on Foods, Valbella, and Shoppers Drug Mart.
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Delivered toy gift cards from Canadian Tire and Shoppers Drug Mart to ensure children experience the joy of gift-giving.
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Get Involved
Whether you want to donate, buy a gift, or apply for support, Bow Valley Christmas Spirit is here for you. Together, we can ensure that everyone in our community enjoys a happy, healthy holiday season. Explore our website to learn more about how you can make a difference.
Let’s make this holiday season a bright one for everyone in the Bow Valley.
Current Campaign News
With Gratitude & Love – Thank You, Tara & Jane!
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Following a successful AGM and the appointment of our new and returning board of directors, we’re also saying a very heartfelt farewell to two of our incredible board members: Tara McConnery and Jane Sullivan.
These women have been pillars of Bow Valley Christmas Spirit, and their impact on our organization, and our community, is immeasurable.
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Tara McConnery – Co-Chair
For the past 5 years, Tara has been a guiding force behind BVCS. Her thoughtful leadership helped shape the seamless, accessible processes we use today, making it easier for families and individuals to receive support during the holidays. Beyond logistics, Tara helped cultivate the heart of our campaign: the warm, welcoming culture that defines BVCS. Her intelligence, intention, and steady presence will be deeply missed.
Jane Sullivan – Fundraising Director
Jane has been with BVCS for many years - first as a volunteer, then administrator and most recently as Fundraising Director - and there’s simply no way to overstate her impact. She has been the heart and backbone of this campaign, carrying it through seasons of growth and change with unwavering dedication, joy, and love. Jane has been the driving force behind the funding and partnerships that make our entire campaign possible. Her deep care for the Bow Valley, tireless commitment to community, and infectious spirit have left an indelible mark on everything we do. Quite simply, BVCS would not be what it is today without Jane. She is irreplaceable, and we will miss her more than words can say.
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Tara and Jane, thank you for everything. Your leadership, compassion, and countless hours of service have brought light to hundreds of lives. You’ve left a legacy we’ll carry forward with deep appreciation and love.
2024 Campaign
With the incredible support of our generous donors, dedicated community partners, the amazing students and staff of Canmore Collegiate High School, and our phenomenal volunteer Elves, we’ve achieved something truly remarkable – reaching our 2024 goal of $105,000.00!
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This past year, the Christmas Spirit Society touched the lives of over 1083 individuals in the Bow Valley by providing essential grocery and toy gift cards. Your generous contributions empowered the Bow Valley Elves to spread joy, delivering more than 290 gifts to our beloved community seniors and the Eagles Nest Stoney Family Shelter.
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A heartfelt thank you goes out to each and every one of you who made this possible.
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Your kindness brought immense joy to our community throughout the holiday season!
For a comprehensive list of our incredible donors, community partners, and the exceptional helpers behind the scenes, please click here 2024 Contributors.
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Remember, the Bow Valley Christmas Spirit accepts donations all year round for this heartfelt event. Should you need a tax receipt for your contribution, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Businesses interested in sponsorship, please contact us at our email address.