Santa鈥檚 special elves at the 91原创 Christmas Bureau have packed up the operation for Christmas 2023 but the community can still donate to the local charity.
The bureau鈥檚 goal was to raise $240,000, but as of the start of this week, had about one quarter of that amount.
鈥淪o we鈥檙e way below,鈥� said bureau coordinator Patty Lester. 鈥淭his is our last week before we close on Friday, but we will of course accept any donations.鈥�
The bureau, which is the only entirely volunteer Christmas bureau in the Lower Mainland, tries to raise enough donations not only for the current Christmas but also to have a bit of a buffer to get started on the next holiday season.
Part of that is donations received after the toy distribution days, which this year were mid-December.
This year the Christmas bureau was based at the Douglas Recreation Centre and closes up shop Friday, Dec. 15. The remaining toys are put into storage until next Christmas.
Lester explained that people can still support the bureau with donations of gifts suitable for children from birth to age 18 (although the bureau asks that people don鈥檛 donate stuffed toys) or money. 91原创 City provides the accounting support for the bureau which provides Christmas gifts to local families struggling financially.
鈥淚f we鈥檙e not here, the finance department at City hall will accept for us,鈥� Lester explained.
During toy distrubtion days, families that registered picked out gifts for their children 鈥� one main gift, as well as stocking stuffers, and books (see page B9 for more about the books).
She noted that the bureau always welcomes more sponsors for families. Under the sponsorship program, the donor provides food, including for a holiday meal, for a family, with the amount based on the number of family members, and the bureau provides age-appropriate gifts.
The volunteers keep the tables of gifts restocked so that no matter what day the families attend to pick up, they have the same quality of items from which to select, Lester noted.
When the donation amounts are down, the bureau must revamp what it provides to families.
With fewer sponsors than there are families needing support, the bureau tries to step in and provide that food hamper and will this year but Lester admits next year could be more of a struggle.
Initial estimates are that the bureau has registered more than 1,000 families needing help this holiday season.
鈥淎 lot of single-parent families,鈥� she noted. 鈥淲e do have a lot of new to Canada families.鈥�
She added that the bureau has received registrations from people from many different cultures.
Lester said the volunteers are hearing similar reasons about why they are asking for help 鈥� untenable hikes in the cost of living.
鈥淲e鈥檙e hearing our rents are eating up our income, our food is crazy,鈥� she said. 鈥溾�o food and rent.鈥�
And people who have had a tough year are grateful that their children can enjoy a nice gift, possible because of the continued support of the community.
