Paige Cairns doesn’t want anyone to feel left out.
It’s part of the reason she created Boo at the Creek more than nine years ago. The popular event has free admission with a simple donation to the Airdrie Food Bank.
“I was at an event and saw a girl crying. She couldn’t get her face painted because her parents couldn’t afford it, and that was really impactful,” says Cairns. “I thought, ‘If I am going to do this event, let’s make sure there’s no barriers.’
“I came from this place where it takes a village to raise a child, so to create a safe, barrier-free opportunity for people to build relationships, feel part of the community and have fun means everything.”
Through the event, Cairns has raised more than $50,000 for the Airdrie Food Bank.
Nominator Ashley Knight says Cairns is an advocate for children and families in Airdrie through her work.
“Paige is an amazing woman that I have seen year after year put blood, sweat and tears into planning and running Boo at the Creek,” says Knight.
“I have watched her push to get people involved from the community, volunteers, sponsors and businesses that will donate items or lend a hand. I know many times she has done all of this, despite her own battles. Paige is a valuable member of the Airdrie community.”