Reviving the Welcome Wagon: Connecting Cochrane's Newcomers and Local Businesses

In the vibrant community of Cochrane, Alberta, change is always on the horizon. A small town with a big heart, it's a place where community spirit thrives and where the warm embrace of locals has welcomed many newcomers over the years. However, when the beloved Welcome Wagon program ceased to exist, the void it left behind was palpable. That is until a chance encounter between friends and neighbors changed everything.

The story begins with two friends, both Cochrane residents: Jana and Joni. Jana is a dedicated real estate agent who assists individuals in purchasing and selling their homes, facilitating relocations to Cochrane, and guiding first-time homebuyers to discover their dream homes, among other services, while Joni has been helping residents secure mortgages in this beautiful town. The two women had much in common, including a shared memory of the Welcome Wagon, a program that had warmly greeted them when they relocated to Cochrane.

Over a coffee and conversations about the past, Jana and Joni reminisced about the wonderful experiences they had with the Welcome Wagon and how they missed the community's welcoming touch. It was during this coffee meet-up that the spark was ignited – why not revamp the former Welcome Wagon program?

With enthusiasm and a vision, the two friends set out to breathe new life into the program. They decided to maintain the core concept of the Welcome Wagon – offering welcome boxes filled with goodies and local business referrals for newcomers. But they also brought a fresh perspective to the table. Recognizing the financial strain that advertising can be for local businesses, they decided to offer participation to businesses at no cost. The catch? To keep the program exclusive and maintain a diverse array of services, they would limit participation to only two businesses per industry at any given time.

Their first step was to establish a digital presence for the program, including a user-friendly website and engaging social media pages. Next, they began reaching out to local businesses to gauge their interest in participating. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Businesses throughout Cochrane were eager to get involved and extend a warm welcome to newcomers in the form of special offers and discounts.

The support for this revamped program continued to grow. A display basket at The Station in Cochrane served as a physical reminder of their presence, and even the local newspaper, The Cochrane Eagle, took the time to share the exciting news of their endeavor.

Today, tWelcome To Cochrane is proud to have 39 businesses on board, along with various local non-profit organizations. Newcomers to Cochrane can now order welcome baskets through their website, and the program's success is thanks to the generosity of its volunteers, Jana and Joni, who personally fund the costs of the baskets, swag items, brochures, and welcome discounts.

Therefore Welcome To Cochrane is for new residents only, with the moving date falling within the most recent month of the order. This ensures that the warmest welcome is provided to those who need it most.

The program has become more than just a venture for Jana and Joni; it's a labor of love. They've had the opportunity to make wonderful connections within the community, meet incredible people, and experience the tremendous support that Cochrane has to offer. The help with stuffing and delivering baskets, the camaraderie among businesses, and the unity in giving back to the community that supported them over the past 10 years have been truly overwhelming.

What brings the most joy to their hearts is witnessing the sparkle in people's eyes when they receive their welcome basket. The delight of newcomers is palpable and inspiring, and the sense of community that the Cochrane Welcome Wagon fosters is immeasurable.

Both businesses and newcomers benefit from this program, and it has become a beautiful cycle of giving and receiving. Jana and Joni are deeply appreciative of the connection they've made with local businesses, and they are proud to contribute to the flourishing community spirit in Cochrane.

In the end, Welcome To Cochrane is a testament to the power of community and the positive impact that individuals can make when they come together with a shared goal. The story of Jana and Joni's revival of this cherished program is one that showcases the kindness, generosity, and unity of Cochrane, proving that a simple idea born over coffee can transform a community and the lives of its newcomers.