The owners and staff at Newlands Golf Course are having a few friends in for breakfast on Nov. 26, about 3,000 of them.
The third annual Christmas Wish Breakfast is that Tuesday and the organizing committee, made up of Newlands representatives as well as a cross section of the community, are planning on the biggest breakfast yet.
鈥漌e鈥檙e really excited about this,鈥� said Judy Davies, Newlands owner. 鈥淥ur attendance was 2,000 last year. We鈥檙e hopeful to have 3,000 this year.鈥�
The event has seen exponential growth each year as it raises donations and funds for the 91原创 Christmas Bureau. Last year, the three-hour event welcomed 2,000 guests who donated 1,200 toys and $4,000 in cash and gift cards.
So how many people can the local event handle this year?
鈥淚 guess we鈥檒l find out,鈥� Davies said with a chuckle.
People are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys or gifts for children from birth to age 18 anytime between 6:30 and 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 26, and as a way of thanking them, the event organizers will provide breakfast.
[Story continues below Facebook post from the 2018 breakfast]
Davies and her family had gone south of the Fraser River.
鈥淚 think people just love the spirit of it,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t just feels good to be there.鈥�
She said people in the community have come forward to get involved and support the Christmas bureau.
鈥淚 think there鈥檚 just a genuine goodness in everyone wanting to participate, and I think it鈥檚 raised the profile of the Christmas bureau,鈥� she said.
Davies said the impact lasts long after the last of the eggs are scrambled and the last toast is buttered that morning.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a trickle down effect afterwards,鈥� she said.
This year Sky Helicopters will again be flying in with a sling full of toys. There鈥檚 other plans in the works on how Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their appearance.
The entire event kicks off with first responders who don鈥檛 show empty handed.
鈥淲e鈥檝e always have lots of the first responders,鈥� she said.
They start the event by parading in with toy donations, and there鈥檚 two stages with non-stop live entertainment for the three hours.
The performances are on the Tom Lee entertainment stages and feature:
- 91原创 Community Chorus
- 91原创 Music School
- 91原创 Ukulele Ensemble
- 91原创 Fine Arts School
- A Seabilly鈥檚 Christmas
- Humourist Jim McGregor
- Dave Mercer and Brenda Cottrill
- Senior Opus Carollers
The event is at Newlands, which is at 21025 48th Ave.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 just a really nice thing that the community has shown such great support for it and great support for people who need help,鈥� Davies said. 鈥淚 think that鈥檚 the message, that there鈥檚 a growing number of people who need help and there鈥檚 just as many people out there who want to help.鈥�
