At the Friends of the Federation, we have had the privilege of supporting countless neighbourhood initiatives over the years—but some projects stay with us long after the tents come down and the grills cool. One of those memorable successes was Auburn Bay Community Association’s Celebration of a New Community event in 2010. This project captured what our partnerships strive to create: connection, belonging, and a stronger sense of “home.”
Back in 2010, Auburn Bay was a brand-new community. Families were just moving in, neighbours were still strangers, and the Community Association was in its earliest stages of development. When the steering committee approached us with a vision for a family celebration—something that would bring people together and introduce residents to the CA—we knew it was the type of grassroots energy we wanted to champion.
“We started with the plan to do a BBQ to run in conjunction with an annual garage sale at our main park / playground that is the centre of our community. Once we started the planning, it seemed that the event grew very quickly,” wrote Carla Obuck, an Auburn Bay steering committee member.
The celebration, held at the central neighbourhood park, exceeded every expectation. More than 600 hamburgers and hotdogs were served in under two hours, drawing families from across the area. Kids delighted in activities and a friendly visit from the fire department, while parents took the opportunity to meet one another and learn more about the new Community Association.
As Carla recounts, “I didn’t even have a chance to blink before it was over. I would say that my favorite parts were: who knew that a rope could be so entertaining (tug-o-war); seeing my neighbours volunteering, just because we needed help; watching the kids having such a great time. It was all of the little things that made it so wonderful.”
The impact of that 2010 gathering extended far beyond a single afternoon. It created new relationships, strengthened the CA’s presence, and laid groundwork for future events and engagement. It was a powerful example of what can happen when neighbours have the chance—and the support—to come together.
Even now, we continue to look back on that partnership with pride. It remains a reminder of why we do this work: because when we invest in people and local leadership, entire communities grow stronger.
To help us support more projects like this, donate through Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink, where your gift is matched up to 50%.
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