Mark your calendars, Burnaby.
The Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society’s sixth annual angel breakfast and toy drive is set for Friday, Dec. 1.
The fundraiser, held at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown Hotel, supports Burnaby Community Services’ Christmas Bureau and the CKNW Orphans' Fund. Last year, the event raised $10,000 in cash and $12,000 worth of toys, which go to kids who may not otherwise receive a gift under their tree.
“People can come and drop off of a toy and get a free breakfast,” said Jeff Clark, president of the Burnaby firefighters union. “We also have the firefighters band playing. We have the Burnaby South High School band playing, and we have Stephen Scaccia, a Canadian recording artist.”
Clark called it “a pretty festive time of year,” when everybody comes together to support families less fortunate.
“We realize how fortunate we are with the lives we have; we see so much day to day in the fire department. If there’s an opportunity for us to be able to help out families that can’t afford to celebrate Christmas like everyone else does, we’d like to think we’re one of the first ones to get on board to help,” he told the NOW.
If folks can’t stay for the breakfast, firefighters will be outside of the hotel collecting donations. Anyone who goes through the “drive-thru” will receive a coffee and muffin from McDonalds. (Toys must be new and unwrapped.)
Burnaby’s seven fire halls are also collecting donations from now until Dec. 1.
“We just hope the community will get on board for this because we think it’s a great opportunity and it’s a great time of year where we can help out,” said Clark.
Where to donate:
Fire Station #1, 4867 Sperling Ave.
Fire Station #2, 7578 Edmonds St.
Fire Station #3, 6511 Marlborough Ave.
Fire Station #4, 2326 Duthie Ave.
Fire Station #5, 4211 Hastings St.
Fire Station #6, 3620 Brighton Ave.
Fire Station #7, 3151 Gilmore Diversion
National Giving Day
Tuesday, Nov. 28 is National Giving Day. Metropolis at Metrotown is hosting a toy drive at the Christmas Bureau toy room (upper level between Winners and Big Orange Juice Bar), from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors who take a selfie while donating an unwrapped gift for a family or senior in need will be entered in a prize draw.
