Fair Haven United Church Homes held its second annual Light up a Life fundraiser last month.
The faith-based group, which is based in Burnaby and Vancouver, provides extended care and independent housing to low-income seniors.
For the Nov. 20 fundraising event, staff decorated the courtyard at the Sussex Avenue home with a Christmas display of lights and decorations. There was hot chocolate, cake and carollers to entertain the crowd. For every dollar that was donated that evening, a light was lit.
“To date, we’ve raised over $2,500 (since) the second last week of November,” said receptionist and accounting clerk Jennie Hollinshead, adding the fundraiser will continue throughout December.
The money raised will go towards buying new mattresses for residents. Last year, five beds were purchased, and this year’s goal is to get 10 more.
To donate or for more information, call 604-435-0525.
A tree from Aunt Leah’s
Nothing is better than the smell of fresh pine.
If you haven’t got your Christmas tree yet, visit Aunt Leah’s Burnaby tree lot at the All Saints Anglican Church (7405 Royal Oak Ave.).
For more than 20 years, Aunt Leah’s trees have been raising money to fund programs that help prevent children in foster care from becoming homeless. The non-profit also helps young mothers from losing custody of their children. Last year, more than $325,000 was raised and more than 450 volunteers helped out.
The Burnaby location is open from now until Dec. 21, Monday to Thursday, from 1 to 8 p.m.; and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
To learn more or to volunteer, visit auntleahs.org.
Elks pull through
Christmas came early for a local charity.
Reg Seguin of South Burnaby Elks No. 497, a fraternal charitable organization with chapters across the country, visited the office of Children of the Street Society recently.
Seguin hand-delivered a cheque for another $1,000 to support the society’s prevention workshops delivered in Burnaby schools. To date, the group has given $3,000 to help the society keep young people safe from all forms of sexual exploitation.
