It’s that time of year again, when the folks behind the Burnaby Christmas Bureau start planning for the holiday season in hopes that all local families will have toys under the tree and seniors will have food on the table.
The Burnaby Christmas Bureau, facilitated by Burnaby Community Services (formerly known as Burnaby Community Connections), kicks off this year’s campaign with an open house on Thursday, Nov. 7 in the bureau’s new toy room, at 7252 Kingsway from 3 to 7 p.m.
“We are really excited about this year’s toy room location. We are thankful to the City of Burnaby for allowing us to use this site for our registration, toy collection and distribution,” said Stephen D’Souza, executive director of Burnaby Community Services.
In the past, Burnaby Community Services has had a hard time finding a suitable space to run the program, but this year the city is letting the organization use the old Kingsway library branch.
Every year, the folks at Burnaby Community Services round up donations of cash or toys for local low-income families. The toys are stocked in a toy room, where parents from eligible families can peruse the shelves and choose something their children would like. Seniors receive a hamper delivered to their home. People can sign up to sponsor seniors and choose food items and presents for the seniors and deliver them to their home.
Registration for the bureau starts today. (See below for details on how families can sign up.)
To RSVP for the open house, go to tinyurl.com/XmasBureauOpenHouse. For more information on the program or Burnaby Community Services, go to www.bbyservices.ca.
How to register for the Christmas Bureau:
There are two locations to register:
- Toy room, 7252 Kingsway, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, or Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Burnaby Community Services, 2055 Rosser Ave. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Applicants need to bring the following documents:
- C-print from revenue Canada. Get this by calling Revenue Canada at 1-800-959-8281, and press * to speak with an operator.
- The bureau can help if you’re having trouble getting a c-print; just call MJ at 604-777-2230.
- Proof of residency (phone or hydro bill, or tenancy agreement)
- For families, bring child tax benefit, care card or birth certificate with children’s names.
- New immigrants need to bring immigration and residency papers.
Eligible families receive toys for their children, aged 16 and under.
Eligible seniors will receive food items delivered to their door.
For more information, go to www.bbyservices.ca.
– Jennifer Moreau
