On the surface, the Christmas party at Pembina Lodge held on Dec. 5 was much like any other.
There were Christmas carols and gingerbread and even an Elvis impersonator.
But while players from the T-Birds football team and members of the R.F. Staples women’s leadership group mingled with seniors, there was something bigger going on.
The event, in part, was organized by Westlock Connex, the new name for the Westlock Drug Taskforce.
As part of a re-alignment Westlock Connex has expanded its focus from drugs to broader community health.
“This idea was collaborative,” said Kendall Taylor, area supervisor for Alberta Health Services addiction unit.
“We approached the football team and they were all over this. They just thought it was a great idea and then the young women’s leadership team, they too we’re really enthusiastic about getting involved.”
Along with a visit from Santa and the Elvis impersonator, who was assisted by T-Birds, the party saw attendees young and young at heart craft a gingerbread village.
The activity was designed to bring together people of different generations and experiences.
“In terms of community health, when we have that increased contact between young people and older members of the community, lots of good things come out of that intergenerational contact,” Taylor said.
“We know that when people exchange stories and context, there’s a bonding that happens and it creates a lot of health and wellbeing.”
T-Birds coach Jon Kramer was positive about the involvement of his players and was quick to get behind the event.
It’s part of his philosophy of not just sporting and individual improvement, but taking a positive role in the community as a whole.
“Now that we’ve been doing it for 10 years we’re really trying to find a deeper way have a meaningful impact in the lives of these kids and the community,” Kramer said.
Everyone, both young and not so young looked like they were having a great time.
Doreen Baker lives at the lodge and said she was enjoyed the day.
“We’re just having some Christmas cheer,” she said. “They called it a Christmas extravaganza and we’ve come into enjoy it.”
On the other end of the age spectrum were the leaders of tomorrow. Many said that there experience had been positive and they would help out again.
“It’s a good thing to do,” said Emmalee Miller. “It’s fun to hang out with them.”
“It’s definitely nice to help people,” added Grace Sarvage.
And that was the aim of the day. To break down barriers, open up a parts of the world that some people may not see and to get them talking and sharing their experiences.
The event was part of Westlock Connex’s recognition that drug harm reduction isn’t just about drugs alone, there’s a whole list of factors that go into making a healthy community.
“It’s not that we’ve forgotten about the issues of drugs and alcohol in the community, it’s certainly written into the DNA of the committee,” Taylor said.
“It’s expanding that out into a health based model.”
