If there was a recipe for holiday fun, it would likely include a little hot chocolate, some warm popcorn, lots of toys and, most importantly, plenty of goodwill.
An upcoming event in support of the Burnaby Christmas Bureau has all that and a helpful little troop of elves, too - in the form of crews from the Burnaby Fire Department and bank staff at the city's Scotiabank branches.
The local branches of the bank have been participating in the bureau's angel wall program this year, which helps bring in toy donations for kids of all ages. The bureau provides both toys and food for low-income families at Christmas.
Groups participating in the angel wall program, like Scotiabank, post "angel cards" that feature an age and gender, which can then be used to help guide the purchase choice of an unwrapped new toy.
Cheryl Westgard with Scotiabank says that customers have been bringing in toys throughout the month to all eight of the city's branches, and that staff have gotten involved by donating toys as well.
"The best part of Christmas is not receiving, it's giving. It's that Christmas spirit - you walk away feeling pretty good about it," she said.
At their recent staff party, staff opted to use money that might have gone to a gift exchange for buying toys.
"People really enjoyed that," says Westgard.
To help cap off this year's campaign, Scotiabank has organized a customer appreciation day on Friday, Dec. 16. from 1 to 4 p.m. at their main branch on Kingsway. Burnaby firefighters will be on hand with hot chocolate and popcorn.
"We're encouraging people to drop by with an unwrapped toy - they can do that any time before (that day), at any of the branches, but that day will be a lot of fun," she says.
Afterwards, the firefighters will gather all the donated toys from the main branch and the other city branches and drop them off at the bureau - just in time for Christmas.
It's not the first time that Scotiabank has helped the bureau this season: they also participated in the gala fundraiser Fill a Stocking, Fulfill a Wish in late November by pledging to match funds raised that night up to $5,000.
The bank's main branch is at 4299 Kingsway.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
With just two weeks left to go, the bureau is hard at work trying to reach its financial goal of $190,000 and filling the shelves at its toy room in Metropolis at Metrotown.
Here are some ways to get involved:
? 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.burnabycommunity connections.com.
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