A Core Crew Story
User Story
By The Core Crew
Once upon a time there was a group of five summer students all dressed in red. They were downtown Edmonton’s finest ambassadors and were known by all as the Core Crew. They wandered downtown looking for ways to help others. As they sauntered through downtown’s historic sites, the arts district, and river valley, they were reminded of the heat and the refreshing thirst-quenching satisfaction they would get from a tall icy glass of lemonade.
The smallest of the five suggested that the group set up a lemonade stand in an effort to help other thirsty Edmontonians. Everyone cheered and hollered because a lemonade stand was a great idea! It was decided that if someone wanted the satisfaction of a tall icy glass of lemonade, they would have to give back to the community by making a donation to a charitable cause. It was then decided that all donations would go to the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters. The council acts as a group of fairy godmothers whose aim is to help local women’s shelters by providing the resources and tools needed to assist women and children in need of shelter services.
The planning began quickly as there was no time to waste; the group knew that their small idea from their smallest member could help hundreds, even thousands, of people! As a non-profit group, the Core Crew required the help of downtown businesses to supply the materials needed to make the lemonade stand a magical success. Sobeys Urban Fresh donated the lemonade, cups and ice to the enthusiastic team while The Works Art & Design Festival offered them a display window to decorate. Melcor Developments allowed full use of their park so the Core Crew could create a charming space. Lemon-shaped invitations were delivered to the people of the city, leaving the Core Crew to wait for the big day.
The day came quickly and preparation began at sunrise. The tent was assembled and a colourful assortment of lemons festooned the display window. A timeless checkered cloth, commonly used for picnics, covered the giant table upon which sat an assortment of refreshments and goodies. The elites from the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters were also in attendance to bring awareness to the cause.
A juggler danced up and down the sidewalks while the town crier made the event known. The lemonade was bought faster than it could be poured. Hundreds of people gathered around the lemonade stand, asking questions and making hefty donations. Some even donated and demanded nothing in return; others came back with friends and colleagues encouraging them to support the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters. The response was overwhelming. News of the generosity of downtown Edmontonians spread throughout the city and in no time at all, everyone was congratulating the Core Crew on their hard work.
The Core Crew was elated! The lemonade stand was a huge success, resulting in $550 being donated to the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters. The moral of this story is that small people and small ideas can make a big difference.
This is a true story about women helping women and children, and all families striving to live happily ever after.
About The Core Crew
The Core Crew is a program implemented by the Downtown Business Association. The group consists of five summer students who serve as ambassadors for Downtown Edmonton. They are a go-to group for both tourists and locals providing information on shopping, dining, events, arts and culture, as well as safety reporting and litter control through participation as block captains with the city’s Capital City Clean Up program.
