The Surrey Christmas Bureau’s Adopt-A-Family program is in full swing this year and by following them on Twitter, I know they are quite shy of their goal for sponsor families so far. Your office, organization, group of friends, or even your family could like to join forces to support a family in need this season and make a big difference in the lives of others.
The Surrey Christmas Bureau assists hundreds of low-income families with children under the age of 16. Through the Hamper and Adopt-A-Family programs these families receive food certificates, toys, gifts, warm clothing and household items. In addition, the Bureau matches sponsors with nearly 250 families who have children with unique challenges and considerations. As Surrey continues to grow, and as the economy’s instability lingers, each year there is a greater need for the services we provide.
Adopt-A-Family sponsors take on the responsibility of providing Christmas breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as gifts for the family they are matched with. It is recommended that sponsors provide a Christmas stocking along with gifts for each child. This year they hoped to attract 1,000 sponsors and according to their latest update, they have 1438 registered families in need and only 500 sponsors. If you would like to help out, here’s how you can get started:
You can call the Surrey Christmas Bureau at (604) 585-9670 or download the online sponsor application form (completing it in black ink) and emailing it to aaf.scb[at]gmail[dot]com or faxing it to (604) 585-9614. If you prefer to mail it in, send to: PO Box 547, 10688 King George Blvd, Surrey, BC V3T 5W7. There is also a planning guide and guidelines document online.
Support the cause in person by stopping by the Stuff The Bus event this Friday December 7th and Saturday December 8th at the Comfort Inn in Surrey. Follow the Surrey Christmas Bureau on Facebook and Twitter for updates.
Vancouver Farmers Markets are still going strong this season with the Saturday market at Nat Bailey Stadium and the 17 annual Holiday Market coming up this month.
Over 85 vendors will bring their finest selection of food, art, crafts, home accessories, and gift ideas to the Croatian Cultural Centre on Saturday, December 15, 2012 from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
The holiday market will have a silent auction, free coat check, gift wrapping by donation, and free entry for Vancouver Farmers Markets members. Tickets are $3 and kids 13 and under are free. You can also print out a coupon online for $1 off admission.
Vancouver Farmers Markets have put together a fantastic Holiday Market gift basket for me to give away to one lucky reader as well. This includes:
A fresh baked cheese spread from Dohmain.ca
Gourmet classic Granola from The Granola King
Purenola and a Gourmet Selection Preserve Sampler from Preserved BC Sunshine
Fraser Valley honey from Jane’s Honeybees
A chocolate Christmas tree from Take A Fancy
Lemongrass Lavendar soap from The Other Eden
12 assorted macarons from French Made Baking
A double oval sterling silver necklace from Ildiko
A Vancouver Farmers Markets apron
The winner will also receive 2 tickets to the Holiday Market on December 15th. Here’s how you can enter:
- Leave a comment naming something you’d pick up at a Holiday Market (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012. Follow Vancouver Farmers Markets on Facebook and Twitter for seasonal market information.
Update The winner is @lululadies!
Aerial photos of Vancouver are always stunning, giving us a new perspective of our city, mountains, and ocean views. I’ve featured aerial photography and archive aerial photography before but I thought I would get yet another angle for today’s photo roundup. I searched the Vancouver Public Library archives for old rooftop photos, enjoy!
1906 – Looking south on Granville from just north of Pender.
VPL Number: 5226. Photographer: Philip Timms.
1910 – Howe Street to the waterfront.
VPL Number: 7768. Photographer: Philip Timms.
1930s – Rooftop View of a Military Parade on Burrard near Georgia.
VPL Number: 7864B. Photographer: Leonard Frank.
1931 – 3-part panorama looking north-west from the 2nd Hotel Vancouver. Hotel Georgia in the foreground.
VPL Number: 4260. Photographer: Leonard Frank.
1931 – 3-part panorama looking north from the 2nd Hotel Vancouver. Hotel Georgia in the foreground.
VPL Number: 4261. Photographer: Leonard Frank.
1931 – 3-part panorama looking north-east from the 2nd Hotel Vancouver. Hotel Georgia in the foreground. VPL Number: 4262. Photographer: Leonard Frank.
1931 – Looking north-west from the 2nd Hotel Vancouver at the construction of the 3rd Hotel Vancouver.
VPL Number: 8909. Photographer: Leonard Frank.
1931 – Rooftop view looking north from Queen Elizabeth Park.
VPL Number: 4507. Photographer: Leonard Frank.
The Magic of Santa, a Christmas musical for children, is coming to the Pacific Coliseum on December 21st and 22nd. The show features dancing Christmas trees, rocking reindeer, and a magical cast.
Photo courtesy of The Magic of Santa – Patrick Roberge Productions Inc.
Your Christmas wish comes true with The Magic of Santa! Follow young Emily as she searches for her very own Christmas wish. With help from her new friends Rudy the Polar Bear, Mrs Claus, Skitter the Mouse and other loveable characters, Emily discovers the wonder of Santa’s magic!
Designed for families, this high-energy production has music for sing-alongs, and encourages you taking photos and video of your experience. It runs 80 minutes and is ideal for children ages 2 to 13. Performances are Friday, December 21, 2012 at 7:00pm, and Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 1:00pm, 4:00pm, and 7:00pm. Tickets are currently available online for $22.50 plus service charges.
If you would like to win your way in, I have 2 sets of 4 tickets up for grabs. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw 2 winners at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Monday, December 10, 2012. Follow The Magic of Santa on Facebook for special offers and online activities leading up to the holidays.
Update The winners are Elaan & Arieanna!
I’m a big fan of gifting experiences — tickets to the ballet, a concert, sporting event, theatrical production, attraction, etc. as it’s a memorable occasion spent with friends and loved ones. The Vancouver Park Board must have had this idea in mind when they came up with their gift card program. You can purchase a Vancouver Park Board Gift Card this season that will give the lucky recipient months of activities and a lifetime of memories:
Gift Card Options
Recreation
Visit a participating community centre, rink or pool. Purchase a $50 gift card and receive a free $10 bonus coupon. Receive one coupon for each $50 purchased. Bonus coupons are valid from February 1 to May 31, 2013 for $10 off a purchase of $20 or more.
Golf
Visit any of the championship golf courses or pitch and putt golf courses. Purchase a $50 gift card and receive a 2 for 1 weekend twilight green fee bonus coupon (Friday through Sunday). Bonus coupons are valid from January 1 to April 30, 2012 at all Vancouver Park Board golf courses.
Gardens
Visit VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory. Purchase a $50 gift card and receive a 2 for 1 garden admission bonus coupon for VanDusen Botanical Garden or Bloedel Conservatory. Bonus coupons are valid from January 1 to April 30, 2013.
The gift cards are only available for purchase until December 31, 2012. Find them at local swimming pools, ice rinks, community centres, fitness centres that accept Flexipass, golf courses (pitch and putts, driving ranges), the Stanley Park Miniature Train, VanDusen Botanical Garden, Bloedel Conservatory, and Marinas. Full gift card terms and conditions are available online.
