Family Services of the North Shore’s Christmas Bureau ensures that low-income and vulnerable families, individuals, and seniors living in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Lions Bay, and on Bowen Island can celebrate the holidays. This season, you can make a difference in the life of a child or teenager by contributing to the Christmas Bureau Toy Drive on December 5th and at select pop-up events around the community.

Toy Drive at Northshore Auto Mall

• When: Sunday, December 5, 2021 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
• Where: Park Shore BMW (835 Automall Drive, North Vancouver)
• What is Needed: New, unwrapped toys and ESPECIALLY gift cards for teens!

Bring your donation and drop it off from the comfort of your own vehicle, which you are welcome to dress up for the holidays! Supporters will also be able to get a physically distanced photo with Santa.

Can’t make it in person? It’s simple to donate online. Toy Drive donations will go directly toward purchasing toys and gifts for children and teens, to ensure vulnerable North Shore families are able share in the joy of the holidays with presents under the tree. The Northshore Auto Mall has generously pledged to match all Toy Drive Donations made, up to $10,000.

More Ways to Support This Season

Look for Family Services of the North Shore’s Community Pop-Ups at Park Royal on Saturday, November 27, 12:00pm to 3:00pm, and at The Shipyards on Saturday, December 4, 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

• If you would like to volunteer with the Christmas Bureau you can find info here.
• If you would like to receive support, call the Christmas Bureau at (604) 984-9627.

For more information, and ways to show your support, follow along on Facebook.

#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, taking place each year after Black Friday. The “Opening day of the giving season,” it’s a time when charities, companies and individuals join together and rally for favourite causes. In the same way that retailers take part in Black Friday, the giving community comes together for GivingTuesday.

The Power of #GivingTuesday and Beyond

What does it mean to give? At its most basic definition, giving means to freely transfer the possession of something to someone. But to me that doesn’t truly speak to what it means to give.

To me, giving speaks to caring, support, and to that innate human desire to want to help one another. The act of giving back can also be an expression of someone’s values, supporting what they truly care about and the changes they want to see in the world.

In recent years, there has been such a need for support. So many individuals, families, industries, and communities have needed help. And that can be tough to witness, and it can be tough to know what to do and how to help.

But here is the good news, every day I have the privilege of witnessing the act of giving in action. Both the joy of seeing someone give and the direct impact of those gifts received.

I wanted to share some of the different ways you can give. Everyone has something to give. Yes, even if you don’t have a cent or an hour to spare right now, you can still make a difference.

The Gift of Time

Volunteers are the heart of our communities. If you have time, there are all kinds of organizations that would be thrilled to have you. You don’t need a special skill or expertise. No matter your age or skill level, there is a volunteer opportunity out there for you.

Advocacy work is another example of giving time. A shared tweet, a signed petition, or attending an advocacy event can help a cause propel its mission or reach new supporters.

Don’t forget about reaching out to your elected officials. They have the power to change policy which can have a huge impact. They want to know what matters to their constituents. Sharing what is important to you can help direct government funds to what matters to you and pass crucial policies.

The Gift of Treasure

Maybe you don’t have the time to volunteer right now, or maybe the times we are living in make volunteering a challenge. There is another way to give. You may find that you have a bit extra in your budget or may have a hidden treasure that you didn’t know could be helpful.

Monetary donations are always welcome by non-profits, and yes, even the small donations help. Monthly giving can provide consistent cash flow to an organization. A small donation, whether it be bi-weekly or monthly, can be easier on the wallet, but really add up over a year.

Considering donating in someone’s memory or in their honour, for a special occasion. Finding out their favourite cause is a unique and special way to show them that you care about them and what matters to them.

Legacy Giving is a way for you to make a lasting impact on the world, by providing for your loved ones and the causes that matter most to you. Even a small percentage of your estate can make a big difference to the causes you care about, and it is easy to include your favourite charity in your will.

Do you have an idle car, did you buy too much peanut butter, or have you been collecting hotel soaps for years? You can make space in your place and help others. Donating gifts-in-kind, or non-money items, fills real needs for many non-profits and can be a cost-effective way to support an organization.We have only scratched the surface of all the different ways that you can give. No matter what your values are, what has impacted your life, or what is important to you, there is a non-profit out there looking for support.

Here are a few of my local favourites:

• Covenant House Vancouver
  • Yes, I do work there so of course, it was making the list. Our purpose is to serve all youth, with absolute respect and unconditional love, to help youth experiencing homelessness, and to protect and safeguard all youth in need.

• Vancouver Foodbank
  • Their mission is providing healthy food to those in need and their vision is healthy communities through fair and effective food systems. The cost of living is getting higher, and more people are relying on food banks.

• Vancouver Public Library Foundation
  • The library is a free place for everyone to discover, create, and share ideas and information. Libraries provide so much for communities beyond access to books and other important resources. They provide warmth and safety for those experiencing homelessness, a connection for a new mom, and access to community support for a senior.

• A Loving Spoonful
  • They are a volunteer-driven, non-partisan society that provides free, nutritious meals to people living with HIV and coexisting illnesses, in Metro Vancouver and the surrounding areas.

• WISH Drop-In Centre Society
  • Their mission is to improve the health, safety and well-being of women who are involved in Vancouver’s street-based sex trade. Their vision is for every woman to have access to opportunities to make free, healthy, and positive choices.

I hope that you feel empowered to give and I hope that you feel like your gifts matter, because they do. I see their impact daily. I truly believe that every gift and every act of giving makes a difference. Every positive act contributes to healthier communities and to a better world. Happy giving!

Kristy Hayter

After checking the website relentlessly, hoping it would be back in operation this year, I’m happy to discover that the Robson Square Ice Rink will be open again for public skating for the 2021-2022 season starting December 2, 2021!

Robson Square Ice Rink Open 2021

Upon reaching the Robson Square Plaza (Ice Rink Level), non-medical masks must be worn at all times, both on and off the ice. To skate at the Robson Square Ice Rink, or to enter the Skate Rental and Café, all participants will be required to show proof of receiving 2 doses of the COVID vaccine. View the rink’s full COVID-19 safety protocols here.

Skate Rental

This season there’s a new indoor Skate Rental and Café. No more cold skates and wet socks! Features include a new skate dryer, lots of lockers to keep your stuff safe, and an outdoor patio with heaters. Skates are $5, ice cleats $2, and sharpening $5. VISA, Master Card, AMEX and Debit. Includes tax. Helmets free with skate rental.

Twelve Days of Christmas – Entertainment Schedule

Enjoy a hot chocolate, the Downtown Vancouver atmosphere, and this low cost activity for the whole family. Follow the rink online here for updates throughout the season.

This weekend Miss604 is proud to sponsor Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum which returns for the season with free admission! Find this and more things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend listed below:

Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend

Holiday Pop-Up: The Polygon
Holiday Pop-Up: Place des Arts
Holiday Pop-Up: Got Craft? Virtual Market 

Friday, November 26, 2021
Jane Mortifee | Shari Ulrich
A Life in Rhythm: Trichy Sankaran & The Offering of Curtis Andrews
VanDusen Festival of Lights and Stanley Park Bright Nights Train
Virtual Workshop: Build Your Own Copper Star Ornament
Red Sky Performance: TRACE
Gyotaku Workshop with Paula Nishikawara
Salsa Navidad
Dance In Vancouver 2021
UNYA Holiday Craft Fair
East Van Panto: Alice in Wonderland
Surrey Holiday Lights
q̓ʷɑti̓cɑ: k̓ʷam̓k̓ʷəm̓ tə šxʷhəliʔ Phyllis Atkins: Divine Connection
Sho Sho Esquiro: Doctrine of Discovery
Sankofa: African Routes, Canadian Roots
Boarder X at the Museum of Vancouver
Hidden Wonders Speakeasy Magic Experience
FlyOver Canada
The instructions of Yoko Ono / The art of John and Yoko
Vancouver Christmas Market
Holiday Splash at the Vancouver Aquarium 
Lights of Hope at St. Paul’s Hospital 
Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol 
Chinatown Storytelling Centre
Sistine Chapel Exhibition 

I’m thrilled to share that Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum is back this year, and so is the restored 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel! Admission is free, and you can wander the village and take in all of the seasonal entertainment and activities from November 27, 2021-January 3, 2022.

Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum

• When:
  • November 27, 2021-December 10, 2021
    • Monday to Friday, 1:00pm to 5:30pm
    • Saturday & Sunday 1:00pm to 9:00pm
    • December 6th from 1:00pm to 4:30pm
  • December 11, 2021 to January 3, 2022 (closed December 24 & 25)
    • Daily 1:00pm to 9:00pm
• Where: Burnaby Village Museum (6501 Deer Lake Ave)
• Tickets: Admission is FREE no advanced booking is required
• Carousel: It’s back! Rides are $2.65 each. Vaccination Passports required for anyone 12+ to ride the carousel. Masks are required indoors for anyone over the age of 5. Rides are at reduced capacity and with restrictions.

Stroll through the 1920’s village and enjoy spectacular lights and vintage-themed displays. Stop by the Burnaby Lake General Store to browse the Christmas light display and learn about popular store purchases in the 1920’s.

Check out the newly renovated Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. Herbalist shop in the Village to discover the role Chinese medicine has played in shaping communities like Burnaby.