A challenge has been issued, and it's up to the community of Burnaby to try to meet it - all for a good cause.
Next weekend, a large PODS container - from the Burnaby-based PODS Moving and Storage company on Byrne Road - will be on the ice at Canlan Ice Sport 8Rinks.
The challenge: to fill the entire container with donations of new, unwrapped toys for the Burnaby Christmas Bureau.
The bureau provides toys for children from low-income families at Christmas; it also organizes hampers for seniors as well as family sponsorship, in which individuals or groups sponsor a family directly, providing both food and toys.
The toy drive skate event was held last year at 8Rinks and proved to be a popular fundraiser. Organizers are hoping even more people will come out this year, on Dec. 9, from 1 to 2: 15 p.m. The rink is located at 6501 Sprott St.
Those interested in donating but unable to make it to the skating event can drop off toys in advance at 8Rinks itself, or at Burnaby Community Connections (which runs the bureau) at their temporary toy room location in Brentwood Town Centre, at PODS Moving and Storage at 5350 Byrne Rd. or at city hall, 4949 Canada Way.
Bureau organizers predicted earlier this year that they would likely see more families than ever before turning to them for help at Christmas; registration is continuing this week at the bureau's toy room in Brentwood Town Centre.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
? Financial donations: donate online at the bureau's website at www.burnaby communityconnections.com; donate with credit card, by phone at 604-299-5778; drop off a cash or cheque donation at the bureau's new temporary location at Brentwood Town Centre, inside by the Sears mall entrance.
? Participate in the Angel Project: this is a toy drive program held by schools, community groups or local businesses. The bureau provides decorative angel-themed cards with the gender and age of a child written on each one, as well as posters that can be used to encourage participation. Individual participants then choose an angel card, purchase a toy for the appropriate age and gender and bring the gift back to the organization for drop-off at the bureau's toy room.
? 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.
For more information, see www.burn abycommunityconnections.com for more information, or follow the bureau on Twitter @BurnabyConnect.
