Bedazzled snowmen, neon reindeer, puffy Santas and all other manner of Christmas kitsch will be adorning the sweaters of Community Savings Credit Union employees this month.
And it is all in the name if charity, as well as good fun.
Staff at each of the credit union's branches will be wearing ugly holiday sweaters on Dec. 9 (today) and 16 to raise funds for the Lower Mainland Purpose Society.
"We are excited to kick off the holidays by helping such a great cause while daring to wear the ugliest sweaters possible," said Cam Gillett, manager of branch operations, in a press release. "Let's just say that my sweater will have all the bells and whistles, and that may or may not be literal."
Residents can go to the Burnaby branch at 204-4333 Ledger Ave. to check out the sweaters for themselves, though the eyesores... er... apparel can also be viewed online.
People can vote for their favourite ugly sweaters at www.wowthatisugly.com.
The credit union has committed to donating $1 per vote, up to $1,000, to the society.
The non-profit society provides social, health, educational and residential services to those in need.
Playing Santa at VanCity
Santa Claus will be on hand at the VanCity branch at 4302 Hastings St. for the Helping Families in Need Society food and toy drive this Saturday.
There will not be a photographer on hand, but people are welcome to bring cameras to get photos of the big man himself.
And everyone can play at being Santa by bringing in non-perishable food items and new toys for the society.
The drive takes place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The society collects household items for women in transition houses, single mothers on income assistance, new immigrant and needy families in the community.
A very merry canine Christmas at WaterWorkz Paw Spa
WaterWorkz Paw Spa is offering pet photos with Santa this Sunday, with donations going to the Burnaby SPCA.
Canine photographer Kate Morris will be taking photos for a $20 donation, and canine massages are available for a $10 donation.
There will be treats on hand, and prize draws, as well, according to owner Tanya VanderHammen.
The event takes place at the spa at 3831 Still Creek Ave. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Seventh Generation donates diapers to the Dixon Transition Society
While many companies are working to fulfill wish lists this month, one company in particular is responding to a very basic need in Burnaby.
Seventh Generation, a U.S. based company that makes environmentally friendly household products, collected more than 311,000 diapers through its Buy One Give One diaper Donation Program for women's shelters across Canada.
The company's month-long event was held in October.
Burnaby's Dixon Transition Society received 140 diapers during the first week of December through the program, according to a press release from the company.
