The Christmas list: Where and how to give, receive in Chilliwack

This list will be updated regularly as new fundraisers are sent to us. If your fundraiser is not on this list, scroll down to the end of this story to find out how it can be added.

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There’s no doubt more families in Chilliwack are struggling this Christmas because of COVID-19.

“In 2020, we have experienced an unprecedented amount of need in Chilliwack due to the continuing pandemic of COVID-19,” Chilliwack Community Services said in an announcement. “In addition to this, we have been experiencing one of the biggest opioid crises yet. We have also been seeing a rise in domestic violence, a rise in suicide rates, and serious mental health impacts.”

But Chilliwack has also seen an increase in donations lately – be it cash, food, toys or warm clothing.

READ MORE: ‘Very successful’ blanket drive amid pandemic, says Chilliwack Realtor

With Christmas three weeks away, the Salvation Army Chilliwack and Chilliwack Community Services are asking people to give locally this year to help their neighbours.

Every year the two collaborate to bring Christmas to hundreds of families and individuals in Chilliwack. Typically, the Salvation Army hands out 1,600 food hampers while Chilliwack Community Services provides gifts to 1,000 kids via its Christmas Sharing program each year.

But they anticipate they will be handing out more food hampers and gift hampers than previous years as a result of the pandemic.

Those in need of a Christmas hamper this year have until Dec. 12 to apply. (Scroll to the end of story for information on how to apply)

There are many ways for folks to help those in need this year either by donating to the Christmas hampers, or to one of the other many holiday fundraisers hosted by other organizations in Chilliwack.

Donate money:

The Salvation Army Kettle Campaign runs now until Dec. 24 outside several storefronts. You can donate cash or give money via the new “Tip Tap” machines which allow people to donate contact-free using their credit or debit card. Additionally, you can donate online to the Chilliwack Salvation Army’s virtual kettle.

Donate toys, gifts and gift cards:

• Drop off your unwrapped gift before Dec. 5 at the Chilliwack Community Services office (45938 Wellington Ave.). Hours 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

• The Chilliwack Golf and Country Club Drive Thru Toy Drive (41894 Yale Rd.) is Wednesday, Dec. 9 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Re/Max Nyda Realty’s Toy House, in conjunction with the Chilliwack Athletes for Turkeys and Toys (CATT) Fund toy drive, runs now until Saturday, Dec. 12. It is now a drop-off fundraiser at 7300 Vedder Rd. People are being asked to drop-off new, unwrapped toys, gift cards and cash for Chilliwack kids and teens in need. Drop-off hours are Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Items can also be dropped off at Chilliwack Community Services (45938 Wellington Ave.).

Donate food:

There are donation boxes for the food bank at many Chilliwack grocery stores.

Donations can also be made directly to the Salvation Army at the Care and Share Centre (45746 Yale Rd.) Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For further information call 604-792-0001 or email careandshare@salvationarmychilliwack.ca.

• Sangam Restaurant and Catering food drive: 8705 Young Rd. and 5725 Vedder Rd. Hours: seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Young Road location closed on Mondays).

• Christmas house at the corner of Kipp Avenue and Stanley Street. Hours: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

• Century 21 Creekside Realty Ltd. is hosting its Creekside Cares Food Drive for the Chilliwack food bank. Items can be dropped off at 45428 Luckakuck Way from Dec. 8 to 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

NOTE: The Chilliwack Fire Department food drive will not be happening this year due to COVID-19. Additionally, the RCMP Stuff the Cruiser will not be happening.

Angel Trees:

Angel Trees for the Chilliwack Community Services Christmas Sharing program are set up at different businesses and organizations in Chilliwack. Each tree has several angel tree tags specifying gift requests according to self-identified gender and age of the registered individual family member. Members of the community are able to visit one of these locations, obtain a tag, and shop for a gift according to the specifications on the tag then return the unwrapped gift to the business before Dec. 5.

Angel Tree locations:

– Little Mountain Greenhouse

– Ascend Fitness

– Coast Capital

– Dairy Queen Sardis

– Murray Honda

– Murray Mazda

– Scotia Bank

– Chilliwack Midwifery (in Superstore)

– Cache 21 Storage

Adopt a Hamper (replaces Adopt a Family this year):

Folks can support a hamper by making a donation to the Salvation Army for the Christmas Hamper program. Each hamper has $60 worth of food in it. People can choose to adopt one or more hampers and make the donation by mailing them a cheque or by credit card by calling the office at 604-792-0001.

Many people and groups enjoy heading out to the store together to buy the items for a family, instead of donating money. People can still do this by calling 604-792-0001 or by sending an email to careandshare@salvationarmychilliwack.ca or by filling out a form online. They will give people a list of the items that need to go in the hamper. Please note: it is very important people buy only the items and quantities on the list as they strive to make sure the hampers are the same.

Adopt-A-Senior:

The Chilliwack Adopt-A-Senior program is still in need of people to create customized care packages for seniors in need. People are encouraged to personalize their packages by writing a letter, sending a photo or making a craft. All gifts must be new and unused. People will be matched with a local senior and will be told what they need and what they want. To help, head to their Facebook page.

Other Christmas fundraisers:

• O’Connor Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (45730 Hocking Ave.) is filling a vehicle with food donations for Ruth and Naomi’s Mission until mid-December. In addition to non-perishable food items, they are accepting hygiene items and monetary donations. Hours: Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• The Optimist Club of Chilliwack is having a donation drop-off on Friday, Dec. 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the side of Evergreen Hall in the parking lot (corner of Corbould and Spadina). They will be collecting non-perishable food, household staples, and new unwrapped toys for Christmas hampers, Chilliwack Community Cupboard and Robertson elementary. Or people can etransfer cash donations to optimistclubofchwk@gmail.com.

• The 11th annual Christmas Stocking Drive hosted by Royal LePage Wheeler Cheam Realty runs now until Dec. 11. Folks can stop by the office at 8-8337 Young Rd. and make a cash donation and Royal LePage will fill a stocking for them, or people can pick up an empty stocking for $2, fill it up and return it with unwrapped items.

• The Ann Davis Transition Society is asking for donations of cash and gift cards for children in need. To donate, go to anndavis.org and click on the “donate now” button and in the message section type “Christmas for Kids.” Etransfer to finance@anndavis.org (use your address in the message for tax receipts), donate by phone at 604-792-2760, or in person at 9046 Young Rd.

• Tech Alliance Repair Service is collecting new items for Ruth and Naomi’s Mission. Suggested items include toys, gift cards, winter clothing, blankets, socks, underwear, snack foods (granola bars, fruit cups, juice, etc.) and hygiene items (deodorant, toothbrushes, soap, etc.). Donate new items only to 51180 Yale Rd. E. from Dec. 3 to 17, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. There are prize draws for those who donate.

• Island Tan (105-7491 Vedder Rd.) is hosting its annual Christmas tree tanning food drive. Participants who bring three or more non-perishable food items or three unopened hygiene products will also receive a free tanning lotion sample.

To apply for a Christmas food hamper and/or gift hamper:

To apply for a hamper, head to the Salvation Army Care and Share Centre (45746 Yale Rd.) now until Dec. 12. Hours: Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed from noon to 1 p.m.), and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Eligibility: Anyone receiving Income Assistance, Disability Pension, EI Benefits, or struggling on low income.

What to bring: Picture ID (BC Driver’s License or BC ID Card), one piece of ID for each child and every member in the household (Care Cards), proof of residence in Chilliwack, and proof if income.

Pick up will be at Chilliwack Centre (formerly Chilliwack Mall) at 45585 Luckakuck Way. To ensure proper physical distancing, pick-up dates and time slots will be assigned when registering.

• Wilma’s Transition Society is inviting people in need of extra help with Christmas presents to contact Erin at 604-824-0939 or email e.mosa@wilmas.org.

Did we miss your fundraiser? Email us to get your toy drive, donation drop-off or other Christmas fundraiser added to this list. Please include all necessary info including location, date/time and any contact info people need to make a donation.