(Contributed)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

sneaky fun

Alberta Wine Ninjas expanding joy-bringing reach daily

May 29, 2020 | 12:20 PM

The imagination of two central Alberta women is bringing delight to many during what has otherwise been a two-plus-month slog through a global pandemic.

Shannan Stubbert, a Bowden resident, and friend Aimee Fieber came up with the idea for Wine Ninjas one night while discussing Christmas.

“During our conversation, our wine ran out and I made a joke about how it’d be nice if ninjas would drop off more wine. The group was born that very night,” she shares.

The Alberta Wine Ninjas page is now over 50,000 members with smaller local groups popping up for arranging drop-offs.

Deliveries, which are organized by sharing one’s address with another member or group admin, contain anything from wine, of course, to chocolate, a card, and other goodies.

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Stubbert says in moderating some of the groups, she’s seen numerous positive stories shared by grateful recipients.

“We had a nurse post a video to our feed; she had just worked a double on the front line, had come home to rowdy children, and the house was an all-around disaster,” she says. “She got a ninja gift basket and broke down in tears, overwhelmed at how much something so simple could completely change her day.”

Shannan Stubbert (left) and Aimee Fieber, the two central Albertans who created Alberta Wine Ninjas, dressed for some drop-offs they did on May 28. (Supplied)

Meantime, Red Deer RCMP say while the intentions are good, and they haven’t received any complaints, it’s worth thinking twice about which information you’re giving to strangers online.

“We remind the public to protect their privacy, especially online and Wine Ninja groups are no exception. Once personal details, such as your address, are shared online, it is out there forever. Do not share details such as your garage or door code, or if you are in a multi-family residence such as an apartment, the code to the building,” says Cpl. Karyn Kay.

“If you do partake, examine the package you receive to determine if it’s been opened or tampered with.”

Kay says another option if you’re uncomfortable with joining a group where you don’t know who’ll be coming to your house, is to form a group using existing social circles.

“We consider the concept to be one of random acts of kindness,” says Stubbert. “You don’t have to be ninja’d to become a ninja. We have lots of ladies who are exclusively ninjas and don’t want to receive anything.

“If you feel alone right now, we are here with you. We are all in this together.”

Stubbert and others will be convening in Edmonton on May 30 before convoying to Fort McMurray where she says they’ll be doing a, “super ninja drop for a city that needs a little extra love right now.”

Alberta Wine Ninjas has spawned similar groups and initiatives elsewhere in the province and nationally, such as Whiskey Wizards and Food Bank Ninjas.