With the holidays just around the corner, the Christmas Bureau is opening the doors to its toy room next week.
Every year, the Burnaby-based non-profit helps put a gift or two under the tree of low-income families and seniors. The bureau has a sponsorship program that allows folks in the community to directly fulfill someone’s wish list. Families can also stop by the toy room to personally pick out a gift.
This season, the toy room will operate out of Metropolis at Metrotown, in the upper level between Winners and Big Orange Juice Bar. (It has moved from its previous Edmonds location because the space is slated for development.)
Stephen D’Souza, executive director of Burnaby Community Services, told the NOW he’s “excited” for the campaign.
“I think the Christmas Bureau seems to really connect with people’s holiday spirit and the Christmas dreams for their families and their community,” he said.
Ten-year-old Breanna Lock has donated to the charity for the last three years. She takes half of her yearly allowance and spends it on toys for those in need. (Her parents match it, and Lock has about $200 by the end of it.)
“I like watching her select the gifts; it’s pretty sweet,” said Michelle, Lock’s mom. “It makes me feel pretty proud of her, that she’s doing such a nice thing.”
Michelle added her daughter chose the Christmas Bureau as her cause because “she didn’t want kids to go without presents.”
D’Souza applauded Lock’s efforts, and the many other community groups that come together to support the bureau.
“To see so much generosity and sense of community in someone so young, it gives us a lot of hope for what we can achieve, and how we can really help those most vulnerable and those who could use just a little bit of help during the holiday season,” he said.
The bureau helped 3,100 people in 2016, including 1,739 children, 137 seniors and 39 “unique individuals.”
The toy room opens on Wednesday, Nov. 15. It’s open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Doors close Dec. 18.
People can drop off toy donations or register for the bureau.
For more information, call 604-292-3902.
