The bureau is holding a Toy Drive Skate event on Sunday, Dec. 18 from 9:45 a.m. to noon at Burnaby 8Rinks.
Everyone who comes with a new, unwrapped toy for the bureau can enjoy a free public skate session and free hot chocolate. Word is that Santa may also put in an appearance.
Skate rentals aren't included but will be made available for a special price of $2.
The skating event is just one of a number of ways local people can help the Christmas Bureau reach its goals: to fill the shelves at its toy room in Metropolis at Metrotown and to raise $190,000.
Here are some other ways to help out:
- The Burnaby Village Museum's Heritage Christmas will be hosting its special bureau fundraising night on Dec. 15, from 4 to 8 p.m. The museum currently has free gate admission as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations and, for that night, all proceeds from the carousel will go to the bureau.
- The annual Santa photo program continues through to Christmas Eve at Metropolis at Metrotown, with all photos by donation to the Burnaby Christmas Bureau. This event has provided as much as $37,000 in financial donations to the bureau in the past. Santa will be holding court in his castle Mondays to Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. On Christmas Eve, photos end at 5 p.m.
- Financial donations: Donate online at the bureau's website at www.burnabycommunityconnections.com; send a cheque to 204-2101 Holdom Ave., Burnaby, B.C., V5B 0A4; donate by credit card by phone at 6042995778; 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.
*Sponsor a family: the Burnaby Christmas Bureau matches families with a group that provides 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.
For more information about the bureau, see www.burnabycommunityconnections.com.
