There's something special being taught at Burnaby North Secondary School: lessons in giving, kindness and generosity.
Student Nicole Shum, who heads up the school's Christmas Cheer Committee, tells the NOW they're hoping to raise $10,000 this year in their annual fundraising efforts in support of the Burnaby Christmas Bureau.
The bureau provides toys and food for low-income families in the city of Burnaby.
"Every year, we strive to raise $10,000 for the (bureau)," she says. "To date (since the club's inception in 1989), we have raised $200,000."
With the current job action limiting how much teachers can get involved in extracurricular activities, the group is facing an extra challenge in reaching their goal.
They've already organized doughnut sales and a unique testdrive program with a local car dealership in which donations were made for every person who came out for a free test drive, but they're hoping to continue with fundraising in a number of different ways.
The group has several upcoming fundraising events; see page 14 for more details in our calendar of events. For a closer look at Shum, see our profile on page 21.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
? Financial donations: Donate online at the bureau's website at burnaby community connections. com; send a cheque to 204-2101 Holdom Ave., Burnaby, B.C., V5B 0A4; donate by credit card by phone at 604-299-5778; drop off a cash or cheque donation at the bureau's new temporary location at Metropolis at Metrotown, on the upper level near Winners, in Unit E8.
? Participate in the Angel Wall program: This program is a toy drive program held by schools, community groups or local businesses.
? Sponsor a family: The Burnaby Christmas Bureau matches families with a group that provide them with a food hamper and gifts. These groups can include companies, religious groups, school groups, families or individuals. The sponsor has direct contact with the family.
? See our calendar of upcoming bureau fundraising events on page 14.
For more information about the bureau, including information about registration (running now until Dec. 1) see www.burnaby communityconnections.com.
