Eight weeks, two days and a few hours - give or take - till Christmas comes once again.
Though even the most eager of youngsters aren't likely to be counting down just yet, the Burnaby Christmas Bureau already has its eye on the clock and a major to-do list to get everything ready in time.
It's a hectic period for the staff and volunteers at Burnaby Community Connections, which organizes the bureau, but a rewarding one, says executive director Stephen D'Souza.
"The Burnaby Christmas Bureau is about bringing the community together during the Christmas season to make sure that every family and child get to celebrate," he told the NOW this week. "It should be a celebration for everyone, donors, clients, everyone who gets involved."
Last year, the bureau helped a total of 5,268 people, including 2,739 children from 1,502 families. In all, nearly 17,000 gifts were distributed and more than $90,000 in food certificates were handed out.
Organizers expect that there could be a rise in the number of people turning to the bureau again this year, just as there was last year, thanks in part to the shaky economy.
"I think that there are a lot of families that haven't been struggling in the past, that maybe had a comfortable income, they've had their hours cut, or lost one of their jobs (in a two-income family), and they're just trying to get by this year," he said.
D'Souza says they've seen a lot of "reversals of fortune" in recent years, with people who were previously donors, coming to them as clients.
"We've had kids who collected for the bureau instead of getting gifts for their birthday and then the next year they're coming to the toy room (as clients)," he said.
That can be a difficult period for a family.
"Initially, that can be hard, but then they realize 'hey, this is what community is about,'" he said.
And, he notes, many families who receive help one year, come back to offer a hand once their situation has stabilized.
"As the economy improves, we'll see that - people coming back to give back," he said.
He says this is a chance for community members to come together and create a better city for everyone.
The bureau has a number of programs in place to help local low-income families, including a sponsorship program where donors are matched up with a family, as well as a toy room where families who aren't directly sponsored can pick up gifts for their children and food gift cards.
The annual campaign relies on donors - who run the gamut from local
schools, community groups, businesses, and individuals - who sign up CO as sponsors or make financial donations or drop off toys.
Starting Tuesday, the bureau will be opening its doors at its new Metropolis at Metrotown location - inside a unit that previously was home to a popular restaurant - and helping families register as clients for this year's campaign. The site is open seven days a week, with registration running from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30.
There are also satellite locations around the community where registration will be taking place on set days over the coming month. (See sidebar on registration information.)
This is the second year the bureau has had space in Metropolis, but they are in a new location inside the mall this year.
D'Souza says they're busy setting up the space, which is on the upper level near Winners, so that they'll be ready for clients arriving next week, and to be able to receive toy and financial donations.
For more on how to register with the bureau, or how to help out with financial donations or through sponsorship or toy gift, see our related story on page 16.
In the coming weeks, the NOW will be covering the bureau's ongoing campaign, taking a closer look at some of the specific programs and people involved in the campaign. Keep an eye on future editions, and www.burn abynow.com for more.
Are you getting involved with the bureau this year? Have memories of a past Christmas when the bureau helped your family? Tell us about it. Send pictures or details to cmy [email protected], or contact Christina at www.twitter.com/ChristinaMyersA. See more about the bureau on our website at www. burnabynow.com, including an ongoing photo gallery of bureau-related activities.
