Paige Cairns remembers staying up into the wee hours of the morning painting empty paint cans and pre-cutting craft supplies for the first ever Boo at the Creek.
“It started out as a few moms who really care about the community and wanted to reignite the spirit of Halloween while creating a safe and free event that would bring the community together while raising money for a very important cause, the Airdrie Food Bank,” says Cairns .
“The most important part of Boo at the Creek is that it is accessible to all families, regardless of socio-economic status.”
The first Boo at the Creek attracted about 500 people and raised a few truckloads of food for the Airdrie Food Bank. In 2022, Cairns estimates close to 5,000 people attended the event and donated more than $10,000 (food and monetary donations combined).
Over the last eight years, Cairns says Boo at the Creek has raised just under $50,000 for the Airdrie Food Bank.
Nominator Chantal Rowan says Cairns is always advocating for helping others in the community. “I think it’s important to bring awareness that she does it all for the community, so that families can have a great day together and also she has such a passion to help the Food Bank,” says Rowan.