Two local organizations are getting ready to make Christmas brighter for Chilliwack families in need.
Chilliwack Community Services (CCS) and the Salvation Army are once again partnering to bring Christmas hampers to families and individuals in the community. The Salvation Army provides families with the food portion of the hamper and CCS provides the toy/gift portion for children up to 18 years old.
This year, organizers are expecting the need to increase by 20 per cent as per Salvation Army’s numbers. Those wanting to apply for a hamper can do so from Monday, Nov. 20 until Friday, Dec. 8.
In order to meet the increased need for hampers, people are asked to donate food, money and unwrapped toys/gifts to the Christmas hamper program.
People can contribute to the toy/gift portion of the hampers by sponsoring a hamper; hosting an Angel Tree; organizing a toy drive; or dropping off unwrapped toys, gift cards or cash donations to Chilliwack Community Services (45938 Wellington Ave., or call 604-792-4267).
TO APPLY FOR A HAMPER:
Christmas Central is where families can go to register for gift hampers. It’s located at the Salvation Army Care and Share Centre at 45746 Yale Rd. Hours are: Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Chilliwack residents who are receiving income assistance, disability pension, EI benefits, or struggling on low income are eligible to apply. People are asked to bring: picture ID (B.C. driver’s licence or B.C. ID Card), one piece of ID for each child and every member in the household (Care Cards), and proof of residence in Chilliwack.
Those not able to register in person can send their information, ID, and a signed letter of consent to someone who can register on their behalf.
TO DONATE TO THE CHRISTMAS HAMPER PROGRAM:
The CCS Christmas Sharing Toy Hamper Sponsorship program matches you with a child/children in our community. You will receive the child’s age, gender, and a small wish list that has been provided. Hamper values are approximately $100. Sponsorships can be done by individuals, families, organizations and businesses. Deadline to apply as a sponsor is Dec. 1 and sponsored hampers must be dropped off before Dec. 8. For more information or to sponsor a toy hamper email: christmas@comserv.bc.ca before Friday, Dec. 1.
Angel Trees are set up at different businesses and organizations in Chilliwack. 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 any Angel Tree location before Dec. 8. If you are interested in being an Angel Tree host, contact christmas@comserv.bc.ca or call 604-792-4267. (See below for Angel Tree locations.)
Community groups, businesses and individuals can host toy drives around Chilliwack to collect unwrapped new gifts for children ages 0 to 18 years old. Those wanting to host a toy drive can contact CCS at 604-792-4267 and they can send you CCS posters to print and use on collection boxes, provide ideas to support the toy drive, and share the event on their social media pages. (See below for list of toy drives.)
ANGEL TREE LOCATIONS (Nov. 13 to Dec. 8):
-ABLP Logistics, 3-44322 Yale Road West
-Anavets, 46268 Yale Road
-Ascend Fitness, 102-45610 Yale Road
-Cache 21 Storage, 45770 Luckakuck Way
-Chilliwack Community Services, 45938 Wellington Avenue
-Chilliwack Midwifery, 45779 Luckakuck Way (Inside The Real Canadian Superstore)
-Coast Capital, Unit 1-45480 Luckakuck Way
-Cookie’s Grill, 44335 Yale Road West
-Cultivate Cafe, 10015 Young Road
-Delagios Pizzeria, 103-5625 Promentory Road
-Escape Trailer, 43851 Industrial Way
-Fix Auto, 8745 Young Road
-Little Mountain Greenhouse & Florist, 47558 Yale Road East
-Lolly’s Fashion, 45891 Wellington Avenue
-Bannister GM, 45930 Airport Road
-Murray Honda, 44954 Yale Road
-Murray Mazda, 45018 Yale Road
-Once Upon a Child, 206-8249 Eagle Landing Parkway
-RBC Wealth Management Group, 9296 Main Street
-River’s Edge Hair Studio, 42375 Yarrow Central Road, Yarrow
-The Button Box, 9369 Mill Street
-The Chilliwack Progress, 104-45833 Alexander Avenue
-Vedder Pharmacy, 106-5335 Vedder Road
TOY DRIVES:
Nov. 25 – Chilliwack Cheam Rotary Club/CATT Fund Volleyball Tournament, Chilliwack Landing Sports Centre
Nov. 15 to Dec. 15 – EXP Realty. Drop off unwrapped gifts at all Save-On-Foods locations
Dec. 6 – Chilliwack Golf Club, 41894 Yale Rd.
Dec. 9 – Chilliwack Chiefs annual Toque and Mitten Toss
Dec. 10 – Chilliwack Community Services Toy Drive hosted by Elements Casino, Murray Honda and Star FM at Elements Casino (8180 Young Rd.). This event will run 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. It is set up as a drive-thru drop-off, where warm breakfast wraps, coffee, hot chocolate and muffins are provided at no charge for those who drop off unwrapped new gifts.