December 1, 2015

Ramada’s Toys for Tots 2015 – Best Yet!

The 3^rd Annual Ramada’s Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast is receiving rave reviews and we couldn’t be more thankful!

A record 1,300 people attended, more than $26,000 raised and receiving over 1,300 toys.

The morning included spirited Christmas Music, a visit from Santa, a top notch breakfast buffet, story time with Clifford the Elf, a festive craft corner and a photo booth to capture the magic of celebrating together. One mother said – “This year’s Toys for tots was the best one yet! Staff were so helpful in getting us a table and the kids loved the story time and crafts.” – Heidi

The success of this event would not have been possible without the investment from our community. First and foremost we would like to thank the Ramada Plaza and Conference Centre staff for your warm service and desire to create a wonderful atmosphere. The conference centre was beautifully decorated, the food was amazing, and the Craft Corner was a huge hit with the children.

Thank you to Envision Financial for your investment in our community through the Full Cupboard program. Your enthusiastic support and promotion of the event was invaluable. We are so thankful for your volunteers who endured below freezing temperatures to safely direct cars to available parking spots!

We are also extremely thankful for having Star 98.3 & Country 107 and their wonderful morning show hosts, live on location at the event. Your presence created a fun buzz in the air. The Abbotsford News was also instrumental in encouraging our community to attend. Together we were able to share our excitement with our community.

A huge thank you must also go out to our brilliant event sponsors. With sponsorship from Columbia Cabinets, Complete Eyecare, FraserWay RV , Hub International Coastal Insurance Brokers, Imperial Finishing Ltd, Jack’s Towing Ltd., Jag’s MJM Furniture Showcase, JMV Woodworks Ltd, RBC Royal Bank, SunLife Financial, TeamWork Property Management Ltd, we were able to run a wonderful event at a very low cost. This means that we will be able to maximize the amount raised to benefit those who really need the support this Christmas – the children of our community!

The event also had amazing product sponsorship! Thank you to Tim Hortons for sending your coffee, hot chocolate and Timbits to those who couldn’t stay for the breakfast. Cheddarbooth, your ability to capture joy in the moment will be cherished for years. Thank you for being there! Thank you Canadian Linen & Uniform Services and First Class for providing the essentials needed to represent the event well. Thank you to Save on Foods, Gordon Food Service, Coca-Cola, Lepp Farm Market, Mainland Machinery, and Neufeld Farms for donating ingredients for the most delicious buffet breakfast! Thank you Winks for providing such beautiful door prizes!

We are so grateful for the quality entertainment. Thank you to Charles for your skilled instrumentals, MEI Chamber Singers for your harmonious rendition of Christmas Carols, to Joel Reimer for sharing your musical talent, and to Travis Thuro for your Christmas melodies. Santa, your merriment charms any crowd, thank you. Thank you Cliff Prang, (AKA Clifford the Elf) for your hilarious and inspiring emceeing, we appreciate your ability to keep the event running smoothly and with class. Thank you Seven Oaks Shopping Centre for sharing your favorite elf with us! Thank you to Jason Janzen who made sure the audience was able to enjoy the entertainment by running sound.

Last but certainly not the least! We were so blown away by the support of the volunteers from Paramedics of BC Emergency Health Services, Firefighters of Local 2864, Envision Financial, and Refine Orthodontics. Your ability to greet guests with enthusiasm, direct traffic, run toys and help with cleanup was so valuable! Thank you for your time and expertise!

Sometimes our needs are met in ways that are unexpected. This can be humbling and even frightening. In the circumstances of the families who need the Food Bank and Christmas Bureau, Christmas can be a time wrought with anxiety and fear. When our families are given the opportunity to celebrate a Christmas through the love and support of their community, hope emerges and Christmas becomes so much more meaningful. From all of us at the Abbotsford Food Bank and Christmas Bureau, thank you for coming together to bring hope and share joy with the children in our community. Your generosity is indispensable. May your generosity be rewarded with hope and joy this Christmas season.