THE City of Surrey announced on Thursday that it stepped up to help Surrey Christmas Bureau find a home for the holidays, and Mayor Brenda Locke is now urging residents to consider donating to the cause as toys are desperately needed to make the holidays brighter for thousands of local children.
“I have been a longtime supporter of the Surrey Christmas Bureau and when I heard the charity was struggling to find a home for the holidays yet again, I wanted to help,” said Locke. “I am pleased to see they will be welcomed back into their former space in the old Safeway near City Hall. The joy that the Surrey Christmas Bureau brings to thousands of children every year is immeasurable. I encourage our residents to consider donating toys or financial gifts if they are able. Every little bit helps as every donation will put a smile on a child’s face this Christmas.”
The Surrey Christmas Bureau depends on the generosity of corporate partners to provide a donated space big enough to house its seasonal activities, which include creating a full size, pop-up “Toy Store” as well as office facilities for client services and the Bureau’s signature “Adopt a Family” program. After learning about the Christmas Bureau’s need for a space, Locke and officials at Fraser Health stepped up to help by securing a space at the former Safeway at 10355 King George Boulevard for the 2022 season.
The Bureau is B.C.’s largest non-denominational Christmas charity, serving approximately 2,000 Surrey low-income families (including over 4,500 children) each year. Last year, the charity also distributed almost $190,000 of grocery vouchers through its hamper program.
“We are absolutely thrilled and so grateful to Mayor Locke and Fraser Health for their generosity in donating this space as our 2022 Toy Depot,” said Lisa Werring, Executive Director of Surrey Christmas Bureau. “The Surrey Christmas Bureau serves such a large number of families that it must begin toy distribution early to meet the need. We are starting Monday, November 21 and estimate we only have approximately one week’s worth of toys in stock. If you are out shopping this weekend and are able, please think of picking up a new, unwrapped toy to help us keep our shelves full. Financial donations are also urgently needed to support our hamper program and can be made at christmasbureau.com. ”
The Christmas Bureau Toy Depot is now open and ready to receive donations of toys and financial gifts at 10355 King George Boulevard (the old Safeway building), Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations can also be dropped off to the Surrey Christmas Bureau at their table at the City of Surrey’s Tree Lighting Festival this Saturday.
