There was a time when the first Saturday in December meant one thing for families across Rockland: La Guignolée.
Children would watch from the window for volunteers dressed in Christmas gear. Families would put aside a few extra cans every time they went grocery shopping. Neighbours would open their doors, share what they could and, for one special day, an entire community came together to help those who needed it most.
Then, in 2019, the tradition came to an end.
This December, it’s coming back.
On Saturday, December 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kooltech Mechanical and 92.5 BIG-FM are bringing La Guignolée back to Rockland with the Kooltech Mechanical BIG-FM Guignolée—a community-wide effort to collect non-perishable food and monetary donations for the Centre d’aide de Clarence-Rockland Help Centre.
Volunteers from Kooltech Mechanical, along with employees and supporters from other local businesses and trades, will be out in the community, going door-to-door throughout Rockland and asking residents to give whatever they can.
A tradition worth bringing back
For BIG-FM Operations Manager Derrick Scott, the idea began with a conversation with Kooltech Mechanical owner Marc Habel about their memories of La Guignolée.
“I remember having a discussion with Marc Habel, the owner of Kooltech Mechanical, about his memories from La Guignolée and saying to him, ‘Let’s bring it back.’”
Scott says the event represents exactly what local radio should be doing.
“When it comes to events and giving back, the radio station is always there, and will continue to be there. This is what local radio does. At least in our case, it’s about connecting listeners to important causes and charities, and highlighting incredible local businesses that give back.”
For Marc Habel, bringing La Guignolée back is personal.
“For me, the return of La Guignolée had to happen.”
Marcr remembers a time when giving wasn’t something done with the click of a button—it was something families experienced together.
“I also remember my kids when they were younger, looking out the window and waiting for La Guignolée to come by. They were so excited to personally hand over the food we had put together to help people who were less fortunate.”
And that is what Marc hopes to bring back—not just the food drive, but the feeling behind it.
“It’s not just about collecting food or donations. It’s about community, connection, generosity, and showing our children that we can all make a difference.”
“Sometimes, the most important thing we can give is our time.”
The need has never been greater
The return of La Guignolée comes at a time when the need for food assistance in Clarence-Rockland has grown dramatically.
The Clarence-Rockland Help Centre currently has approximately 400 active household files and provides food assistance to about 1,000 people every month—including approximately 400 children.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the number of people relying on the Help Centre has increased by 110%.
The Centre also continues to see new families seeking assistance every week, while the rising cost of living and inflation have put additional pressure on household budgets.
Last year alone, residents and community organizations donated approximately 101,000 food items to the Help Centre. Even with that generosity, the Centre spends between $3,000 and $4,000 every week purchasing groceries to help keep its shelves stocked.
Pierre-Luc Byham, Executive Director of the Clarence-Rockland Help Centre, says the return of the community food drive comes at an important time.
“We are extremely grateful to see La Guignolée return to our community for the first time since 2019. A great deal has changed since the last edition, and the need for food assistance has grown tremendously.”
Byham says the impact goes beyond filling shelves.
“Bringing the food drive back is not only an opportunity to help stock our shelves—it is a powerful demonstration of what can be accomplished when local businesses, volunteers and residents come together to take care of their community.”
He adds:
“On behalf of our Board of Directors, our volunteers and, most importantly, the families we serve, I want to sincerely thank the organizers for bringing this important tradition back to Clarence-Rockland.”
On Saturday, December 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., residents are encouraged to listen for the knock at their door and have a donation ready. Volunteers will be collecting non-perishable food items, and monetary donations. Residents who are not home, or who may be out doing their holiday shopping, can also drop off donations directly at Clarence-Rockland Help Centre, 2815 Chamberland Street, Rockland.
BIG-FM will be broadcasting live from the event, encouraging residents to take part and helping keep the community connected throughout the morning.
A QR code will also make donating easier than ever. Residents can simply scan the code and make a direct monetary donation to the Help Centre from their phone—whenever and wherever they happen to be.
One community. One Saturday. One tradition coming home.
The first year of the revived La Guignolée will focus on Rockland, with organizers hopeful that a successful return will allow the event to grow and eventually expand into the other communities that make up Clarence-Rockland.
For one Saturday in December, the goal is simple: open the door, give what you can, and help make Christmas a little brighter for a neighbour. Because some traditions are worth bringing back. And some traditions were never really meant to disappear.
Listen to 92.5 BIG-FM, follow BIG FM PRESCOTT RUSSELL on social media, and visit bigfm.ca for updates leading up to the Kooltech Mechanical BIG-FM Guignolée.