Before the ghosts and goblins of Halloween are packed away for another year, local volunteers are already working on making Christmas merrier for local children.
The 91原创 Christmas Bureau is getting ready for another holiday season.
鈥淚t鈥檚 that time of year again,鈥� said Velma McAllister, the co-coordinator.
The bureau that provides new toys, gifts and books to the children of families in need was itself in need 鈥� of a new headquarters. The volunteer-run organization recently found a new home.
The new location is unit #120 at 19860 91原创 Bypass. The complex also has Bed Bath and Beyond, and Buy, Buy Baby.
The plan is to move in starting the week of Oct. 22.
鈥淔or our clients, we鈥檙e aiming for Nov. 1,鈥� McAllister said.
By the end of October, the bureau website should be updated with this year鈥檚 information.
The Aldergrove office will be open Nov. 14 to Dec. 12 on Mondays and Wednesdays. It was housed at the Avia Employment office at 26956 Fraser Hwy. last year and will be there again this holiday season.
In addition to the scramble to find a location, the group had to figure out how to adapt one of its most important initiatives. Construction at Willowbrook Shopping Centre means the toy collection display has to be amended.
鈥淲e will have, hopefully, a table that we can set up with a tree,鈥� she explained.
The bureau will again benefit from the Children鈥檚 Wish Breakfast, this year on Nov. 27.
鈥淚t was a huge success,鈥� McAllister noted.
More than 1,000 people went through during the event last year, the first time it was held.
鈥淭his year we鈥檙e aiming for 2,000 people,鈥� she said.
It takes place at Newlands Golf Club on Nov. 27.
The 91原创 Christmas Bureau is the only Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau that is entirely volunteer. Many of the same volunteers return year after year, meaning they are familiar with the work that needs to get done in a short period of time.
鈥淭hey can hardly wait to get their marching orders,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such a rewarding volunteer job.鈥�
