THE Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), which has successfully staged a number of drive-thru events throughout COVID-19, has announced its partnership with the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau, the organization which brings holiday toys to thousands of underprivileged children in the region annually.
Both not-for-profit organizations are part of the social fabric of the province, the PNE celebrating 110 years in the city and the Christmas Bureau celebrating 90 years of spreading joy for deserving children.
“We are incredibly happy to work with such a long-standing and respected organization as the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau,” said PNE CEO Shelley Frost. “COVID has made it abundantly clear that we must bring people and organizations together during this difficult time. Using the PNE’s proven drive-thru model to assist the Christmas Bureau in their toy drive is a natural coming together of two of Vancouver’s most trusted organizations that are all about family.”
“Many of our large annual events have been cancelled or scaled back to ensure the safety of participants,” says Susan Levang, President of the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau. “We are inspired by our long-term donors and supporters who continue to give. Despite their generosity, in a year of rising need, our situation was concerning. This event will allow people in the Lower Mainland to open their hearts to support children who simply wouldn’t have a gift under the tree or a special holiday meal to share without the generosity of our community.”
The Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau assists an average of 1,000 families annually, works with 40 other bureaus and agencies, providing material support and shipping more than 145,000 items to them. The Bureau also distributes almost $70,000 worth of supermarket gift cards to families.
The two-day drive thru event will happen on the PNE grounds on November 12 and 13. Anyone wanting to make a monetary donation via tap or donate a new, unwrapped toy is encouraged to reserve their drop off time window at www.Ticketleader.ca. Tickets are available starting Thursday, November 5.
Each vehicle that makes a donation will receive two cups of coffee and a bag of mini donuts as a thank you for their generosity.
What: Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau Toy Drive at the PNE
Dates: November 12 and 13
Times: November 12, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
November 13, 6 a.m.-12 p.m.
Location: Enter just west of the Playland Main Entrance on Hastings Street
This event was developed with the guidance of Vancouver Coastal Health in order to adhere to all COVID-19 best practices and protocols.
For more information about PNE visit: www.pne.ca.
For more information about the Vancouver Christmas Bureau visit: www.LMCB.ca
