Share Family and Community Services still needs toys and food for this year's Christmas campaign. Here are some fun ways to get involved and give:
Through Dec. 24: Gift wrap and Share toy tree: Drop by Coquitlam Centre during mall hours and have your gifts wrapped by donation at the Share gift wrap booth located on the upper level between Aritzia and the Gap. That's where you'll also find the Share toy tree, where donations to Share's Christmas programs are received. To volunteer at the gift wrap and tree, contact Heather Stacey at 604-529-5107 or [email protected].
Through Dec. 17: Under the Christmas Tree: Table 23 comedy presents two Christmas improv shows at Second Storey Theatre in Port Coquitlam. They include a kids show (all ages), with Saturday matinees at 3 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17 only - a fun and interactive improvised Christmas show with stories, songs, and puppets. Tickets are $2 for children and $5 for adults. The second show, rated PG for adults, runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through Dec. 17. A mix of improv comedy, music, videos and sketch, this show pokes fun at everything Christmas - from family gatherings to Santa's Christmas day. Tickets are available at the door. Visit secondstoreytheatre.com for more information.
Through Dec. 22: People who drop off food for Share at Thrift-Opolis, located at D-2579 Lougheed Hwy (between Metro Motors and Westwood Street), will be entered into a contest to win a $150 gift certificate to the store. Owners Hall Merritt and Vanda Cooper are also challenging other businesses to collect food for Share this holiday season. There is no limit on the number of entries an individual can submit - the more days you go to the store with a donation before closing Dec. 22, the more entries you have in the entry box. For more information, call 604-942-7101.
Dec. 10 and 17: West Coast Express Santa Trains, co-sponsored by The Tri-City News, will be running to take shoppers to Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver, with pick-ups at all three Tri-City stations. Rail riders should bring an unwrapped toy and ride for free. The Santa trains will depart from Port Coquitlam station at 10:37 a.m., Coquitlam at 10:43 a.m. and Port Moody at 11:15 a.m., returning from Waterfront Station at 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.westcoastexpress.com.
Dec. 11: Coquitlam Express Teddy Bear Toss: The Coquitlam Express Junior A Hockey Club is holding its annual Teddy Bear Toss and toy drive. Puck drop at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex is 2 p.m., doors open at 1:15 p.m. When the Express score their first goal, everyone tosses their bears on the ice. Teddy bears will be available for $10 at the game, with all proceeds going to Share Family and Community Services. Fans are also encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy; in exchange, they will receive a $5 Joey Coquitlam gift card for each toy. Tickets cost $13 for adults, $9 for seniors or students and $6 for children (kids five years and younger get in free) and are available at www.myexpresstickets.com, at 640 Poirier Street, by phone at 604-936-4625 or at the door. The Express will host the first place Cowichan Valley Capitals.
Dec. 13: CKNW Food Bank Fill-up: Radio station CKNW will broadcast from Save-On Foods on Pinetree Way in Coquitlam from 3 to 7 p.m. Drop by Save-On with your food donation to help provide 1,800 Tri-City families with Christmas hampers.
Dec. 17: Holiday Train Winter Festival: The annual CP Rail Holiday Train rolls in to Queen Street Plaza in Port Moody with John Valdy and Tracey Brown, two popular Canadian singers, to entertain. The festivities begin at 4 p.m. with hot chocolate and chilli available by donation, plus carollers, an enormous bonfire and more. The Holiday Train will make its appearance at 5:45 p.m., so revellers are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy the fun.
