Christmas

Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau executive director Chris Bayliss was surrounded by toys Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020 at the 37th annual Kruise for Kids toy drive and fundraiser held at the Langley Events Centre for the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau brings the holidays to 700 families

Despite COVID-19 limitations, 2020’s campaign went smoothly

 

Sarah Kimberley, 10, with the gift bags she, her family, and others put together for the residents at Birchwood Retirement Residence. (Mellissa Kimberley)

Chilliwack family brings handmade gift bags to 80 isolated seniors for Christmas

‘Maybe if they have a present that they can open, they can feel a bit of love,’ said 11-year-old kid

 

(Depositphotos.com)

Give your Christmas tree back to the wild by leaving it outside: nature conservancy

The trees can be a great benefit to local wildlife

  • Dec 29, 2020

 

Annis Residents preparing cheer packs for Christmas Day to be given out in Chilliwack (PCRS)

Christmas cheer packs being handed out in Chilliwack by the folks from Annis Residence

‘This is their small effort to give back to the community,’ says organizer with PCRS

Annis Residents preparing cheer packs for Christmas Day to be given out in Chilliwack (PCRS)
Carmie Chittick holds two-year-old Elijah as he receives an early Christmas present. The community came together to bring toys, clothing and more to the young boy who tragically lost his mother in October. (Submitted)

‘Angels descended’ to bring Christmas gifts to two-year-old Chilliwack boy who lost his mother

Toys, clothing and more poured in for Elijah whose mom died in tragic Ballam Road crash in October

Carmie Chittick holds two-year-old Elijah as he receives an early Christmas present. The community came together to bring toys, clothing and more to the young boy who tragically lost his mother in October. (Submitted)
(The Canadian Press)

VIDEO: Treats children leave for Santa around the world

It varies country to country

(The Canadian Press)
This is Jellybean the miniature horse. He is over 18 years old, cute as a button and sweet as can be. He lives in Yarrow with his draft horse friends at Freedom Acrobatics vaulting club. (Submitted by Pam Dykstra)

SLIDESHOW: Chilliwack Progress readers share their best holiday pet photos

From miniature horse to adventurous senior cat, Chilliwack animals get into the Christmas spirit

This is Jellybean the miniature horse. He is over 18 years old, cute as a button and sweet as can be. He lives in Yarrow with his draft horse friends at Freedom Acrobatics vaulting club. (Submitted by Pam Dykstra)
Sparke the Christmas Light’s mysterious backstory has been revealed after the creator Donald Shupe reached out to The News.

Do you remember Sparkle the Christmas Light?

Creator of popular 80s/90s light discusses item’s origin, wants to see it revived

Sparke the Christmas Light’s mysterious backstory has been revealed after the creator Donald Shupe reached out to The News.
Staff from the Chilliwack and District Seniors’ Resources Society pick up stockings from Royal LePage Wheeler Cheam Realty on Dec. 21. (Submitted photo)

Stockings handed out to Chilliwack seniors and children for Christmas

Chilliwack realty office gathers $5,000 and fills 250 stockings for community members

Staff from the Chilliwack and District Seniors’ Resources Society pick up stockings from Royal LePage Wheeler Cheam Realty on Dec. 21. (Submitted photo)
(Pixabay, illustration)

Where’s Santa? NORAD is tracking the jolly old man around the globe this Christmas

As with all things, the Santa tracker will look a little different this year

(Pixabay, illustration)
The Edmilao family, including Apollo and his younger brother, Francis, moved to Canada in the 1970s. (Edmilao family/Special to the Langley Advance Times)

Code Name: Big Red – B.C. soldier with NORAD helps Santa get around the globe safely

The annual NORAD Tracks Santa program features a soldier who grew up in Langley

The Edmilao family, including Apollo and his younger brother, Francis, moved to Canada in the 1970s. (Edmilao family/Special to the Langley Advance Times)
Belle Voci A cappella Ensemble released its rendition of Silent Night on Dec. 21. (Screenshot/BelleVoci.ca)

VIDEO: Chilliwack vocal ensemble shares Silent Night around the world

Belle Voci A cappella Ensemble released the song featuring several voices, bass and trumpet

Belle Voci A cappella Ensemble released its rendition of Silent Night on Dec. 21. (Screenshot/BelleVoci.ca)
Canada’s chief medical officer Dr. Theresa Tam chats with Santa Claus on Zoom in December 2020. (Twitter)

VIDEO: Santa Claus cleared for arrival in Canada

The jolly old fellow is an essential worker

Canada’s chief medical officer Dr. Theresa Tam chats with Santa Claus on Zoom in December 2020. (Twitter)
Santa flying with BC EHS to visit hospitals around B.C. on Dec. 22, 2020. (BC EHS/Twitter)

Nothing stops Santa from bringing joy to sick children – even with pandemic protocols

Santa sent gifts to Victoria General, Surrey Memorial, Royal Columbian and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

  • Dec 22, 2020
Santa flying with BC EHS to visit hospitals around B.C. on Dec. 22, 2020. (BC EHS/Twitter)
(Pxhere.com)

VIDEO: 5 tips for wrapping your Christmas presents

Here’s a few tips

(Pxhere.com)
Rob Wight with his new Toyota Corolla, gifted to him by several local businesses in the annual Christmas Car Giveaway. (Eric J. Welsh/ Chilliwack Progress)

Single father of three in Chilliwack receives vehicle in Christmas Car Giveaway

A man holding down two jobs to support his family now has a Toyota Corolla he can rely on

Rob Wight with his new Toyota Corolla, gifted to him by several local businesses in the annual Christmas Car Giveaway. (Eric J. Welsh/ Chilliwack Progress)
In this photo provided by the California Highway Patrol, a man dressed as Santa Claus who was flying on a powered parachute on his way to deliver candy canes to children is seen stuck on power lines in Rio Linda, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. The man was rescued uninjured. The incident happened shortly after the man took off near a school in Rio Linda and then hit and became suspended in power lines, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman told KCRA-TV. (California Highway Patrol via AP)

Man dressed as Santa rescued from power lines in California

Video from the rescue shows the aircraft dangling overhead as Santa sat fastened to the pilot seat

In this photo provided by the California Highway Patrol, a man dressed as Santa Claus who was flying on a powered parachute on his way to deliver candy canes to children is seen stuck on power lines in Rio Linda, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. The man was rescued uninjured. The incident happened shortly after the man took off near a school in Rio Linda and then hit and became suspended in power lines, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman told KCRA-TV. (California Highway Patrol via AP)
In this Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020 photo made available by NASA, Saturn, top, and Jupiter, below, are seen after sunset from Shenandoah National Park in Luray, Va. The two planets are drawing closer to each other in the sky as they head towards a “great conjunction” on Monday, Dec. 21, where the two giant planets will appear a tenth of a degree apart. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP)

Jupiter and Saturn align in our skies tonight, to form the Great Conjunction

Stargazers typically gather in groups at observatories or with backyard telescopes for such events

  • Dec 21, 2020
In this Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020 photo made available by NASA, Saturn, top, and Jupiter, below, are seen after sunset from Shenandoah National Park in Luray, Va. The two planets are drawing closer to each other in the sky as they head towards a “great conjunction” on Monday, Dec. 21, where the two giant planets will appear a tenth of a degree apart. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP)
Jaclyn Mountain says her mother, Cindy Mountain, seen in an undated handout photo, would be thrilled to see her Port Coquitlam, B.C., home decked out in Christmas lights for the first time in15 years. Cindy Mountain, of ‘Namgis First Nation in Alert Bay, B.C., died of COVID-19 in April at age 59. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-The Mountain Family, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

The empty chair: Canadians face first Christmas without loved ones lost to COVID-19

Here are the stories of how Canadians who lost loved ones to COVID-19 are coping with Christmas grief

Jaclyn Mountain says her mother, Cindy Mountain, seen in an undated handout photo, would be thrilled to see her Port Coquitlam, B.C., home decked out in Christmas lights for the first time in15 years. Cindy Mountain, of ‘Namgis First Nation in Alert Bay, B.C., died of COVID-19 in April at age 59. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-The Mountain Family, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Don Lehn at the Chilliwack Alano Club in June, 2019. The club has had to cancel its Christmas party for the children of members, but is still hoping to drum up a few treats to deliver. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

Chilliwack’s Alano Club still hoping to make Christmas bright for local kids

With their annual Christmas party cancelled due to restrictions, club appeals to community for help

Don Lehn at the Chilliwack Alano Club in June, 2019. The club has had to cancel its Christmas party for the children of members, but is still hoping to drum up a few treats to deliver. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)