The Tri-Cities community is rallying around Share Family and Community Services for their Christmas campaign.
Last year, hundreds of families received Christmas hampers and toys, thanks to the generosity of local residents and businesses.
Here are a few events to help Share in its work:
Mr. Mike's Toy Drive: Mr. Mike's Steakhouse and Bar is kicking off its fifth annual toy drive with a launch party next week where its team will be donating all tips to the toy drive. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for Share's toy hamper program and receive a free appetizer.
When: Launch party on Nov. 26; Toy Drive runs from then until Christmas.
Where: Mr. Mike's Steakhouse and Bar, 32-2991 Lougheed Hwy., Coquitlam.
Gift Wrap and Share Tree at Coquitlam Cen-tre: Have your gifts wrapped at Coquitlam Centre in return for a donation to Share's Christmas programs. You can also leave a new, unwrapped toy for child under the tree. Last year, 2,215 children and youth were recipients of Share's Christmas hampers.
When: Nov. 30 to Dec. 24 during mall hours
Where: Coquitlam Centre, 2929 Barnet Hwy., Coquitlam; the gift wrap booth and Share Tree are on the upper level between Aritzia and the Gap.
Coquitlam Express Teddy Bear Toss: The Coquitlam Express are having another teddy bear toss. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or buy one at the game, and toss it on the ice when the Express score their first goal. All toys will be donated to the Share toy program.
When: Saturday, Dec 1; puck drops at 2 p.m.
Where: Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex, 640 Poirier St., Coquitlam
Jingle Bell Jog: Jingle Bell Jog is taking place again this year. Come out for a fun family run/walk race and bring a non-perishable food or toy donation for Share's Christmas programs. For more information and to register, please visit www.jinglebelljog.ca.
When: Sunday, Dec. 2, 8 a.m. to noon
Where: Coquitlam Centre, 2929 Barnet Hwy., Coquitlam
Help Share help those in need
Volunteering for a local charity can make the holiday season extra special.
This year, Share Family and Community Services will be providing plenty of opportunities for people to give of their time to help others less fortunate. Last year, for example, Share registered 1,749 households for Christmas hampers and the social service agency expects to register even more families this season.
For instance, volunteers are once again needed to help with the annual by-donation gift wrap and gift tree at Coquitlam Centre. The program opens Nov. 30 at the mall and more than 800 shifts needed to be filled for this important event supporting the Share Toy Shoppe and other programs. Volunteers must be 16 years or older and those interest in helping should call Ruth at 604-529-5104.
Other volunteer postings:
Office assistance: Greet donors, accept and record donations at the front counter, answer phones, photocopy and other office duties.
Christmas hamper packing: Put together food hampers (small, medium, and large) and must be able to lift heavy boxes.
Food sorting: Sort food donations into categories. Involves organizing food donations, labelling and weighing food, lifting and carrying boxes, maintaining a clean work area and recycling boxes.
Truck drivers: Pick up food and toy donations, load and unload food boxes, ensure trucks are in good condition, and assist with stocking and inventory.
Toy Shoppe: Sort and process toy donations. This is a warehouse environment and does require some heavy lifting. Volunteers are also needed to assist families during Toy Shoppe visits.
Take an ornament & lend a hand
Envision Financial's Angel Tree program is returning to kick off the holiday season.
All Envision locations, including its branch in Coquitlam, will display a decorated Christmas tree with angel ornaments, each representing a child, youth or senior in the local community.
Members of the public are encouraged to take an angel from the tree and return it with a new and unwrapped gift to any participating location by Dec. 8. All gifts and/or cash donations collected will be delivered to a local non-profit agency or Christmas bureau. In addition to selecting an angel off each tree, beginning this year, people also have the option of selecting a tin can ornament and returning it with a non-perishable food item or cash donation.
Envision has also created a video that can be viewed at youtube.com/envisionfinancial and, for every view, Envision will donate $1 to the Angel Tree program (up to $10,000).
