Looking Back with Gratitude – Our Christmas 2025 Highlights
We’ve wrapped up the Christmas Bureau Season with Gratitude and Cheer!
The holiday season once again showcased the strength and compassion of our community! As we begin a new year, we are proud to look back on the impact made through the Abbotsford Christmas Bureau and Archway Food Bank during December.
Through matched neighbours, donations, the toy room, and the Christmas food basket distribution, households received both essential food and meaningful gifts to help make the holidays brighter. This program continues to thrive because of the compassion of those who participate year after year. We are sincerely grateful to everyone who helped make this season one of joy, kindness, and hope.
Volunteers Ready to Serve in the Christmas Bureau Toy Room
Sharing the Gift of a Holiday Meal:
This season, our food basket distribution reached over 2800 individuals across 680 families and seniors, bringing the joy of a traditional Christmas dinner to households in need. Each basket contained ingredients for a holiday meal, helping to make the season brighter. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and volunteers, these baskets provided not only food but also comfort, warmth, and Christmas spirit to households across our community!
“This program truly changed our holiday in ways I can’t fully put into words. It lifted a huge weight off my shoulders and brought peace, joy, and relief during a time that can be very stressful. Because of this support, I was able to be fully present with my family and focus on creating loving memories instead of worrying about how I would make Christmas happen.”
– A Christmas Bureau Beneficiary
A Heartfelt Thank You for a Wonderful 2025 Christmas Bureau Toy Room Season
This holiday season, the Christmas Bureau Toy Room once again brought excitement and smiles to families across our community. Through the remarkable generosity of donors, volunteers, and partner organizations, the toy room became a festive space where children and teens could receive gifts chosen with care.
This outpouring of kindness allowed us to bring Christmas joy to 688 families and 1,624 children, ensuring that every child had something special to open during the holidays.
Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to everyone who helped make this possible. Your contributions filled the toy room, not only with toys, but with warmth, generosity, and the true spirit of Christmas.
We look forward to another wonderful year ahead. Thank you for making the 2025 Christmas Bureau Toy Room a success beyond measure! 🎁✨
“I am exceedingly grateful for the Christmas Bureau. I was able to provide my children with lots of gifts as well as stocking stuffers and we got a nice ham for our dinner. It would have been extremely stressful without this program, and I know that I would not have been able to give my children the Christmas they had without it. Thank you so much to all the wonderful, kind, and welcoming volunteers as well as to everyone who donated to this program. Your generosity had such a big impact on my family. Thank you!!!!!”
– A Christmas Bureau Beneficiary
Thank you to our Christmas Bureau Neighbours!
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the individuals, businesses, and organizations who generously chose to directly support families and seniors through our Christmas Neighbour program. More than 160 compassionate Neighbours stepped forward to support over 310 families and seniors in our community!
Becoming a “Christmas Neighbour” is a meaningful commitment. It involves dedicating time to connecting with families and seniors, carefully completing personalized shopping lists, and delivering gifts and essential items directly to recipients. Beyond this time and effort, Christmas Neighbours also contribute financially by purchasing food and gifts, making their generosity even more remarkable!
The kindness and compassion demonstrated by these Christmas Neighbours truly embody the spirit of the season. Your generosity has made a personal and meaningful difference in the lives of so many individuals and families, and we are deeply grateful for the care and hope you brought to our community this Christmas!
“Money was especially tight this year. I never would have been able to afford the kind of Christmas we ended up having all on my own. Watching my daughter light up at the things she got and have her ask “How does Santa know me so well!?” It was the best part. I feel like we were matched with the most perfect person possible. We had so many things in common and it was a blessing to be able to meet her.”
– A Christmas Bureau Beneficiary“The wonderful kindness and generosity of my Christmas Neighbor truly made my life so much better this year! The lovely group brought everything to my apartment and left me with hugs and smiles that will last well into the New Year. 😊 Things have become so expensive that my Christmas would have been rather grey and empty if not for the Christmas Bureau. Everyone I spoke with made sure that the Christmas wishes I made for myself and my two furry amigos were fulfilled beautifully. I cannot thank you enough for creating this wonderful program!”
– A Christmas Bureau Beneficiary
To Our Incredible Volunteers
Thank you to our amazing volunteers who dedicated their time and energy throughout the entire Christmas Bureau season. From a full week of set up to 21 busy days in the toy room, and five days supporting food basket distribution, your commitment made this year’s program truly exceptional. Your hard work, kindness, and unwavering spirit brought joy, dignity, and hope to every family we served. We are deeply grateful for everything you contributed to making this season a success.
“It’s my 3rd year volunteering and in terms of memorable moments there are too many to count! I love seeing familiar faces but also meeting new people from both the Food Bank and the volunteers. Such a great way to spend time giving back and I expect to keep volunteering for years to come!”
– Nikki Kraemer (2025 Volunteer)“During one of my shifts, I took care of a little one while his mom shopped with another volunteer. I loved every minute of that, and mom was so happy to shop without any distraction! It was an excellent experience for both of us. I enjoyed all my shifts, clients and volunteers alike.”
– Anonymous (2025 Volunteer)“It was truly rewarding assisting the families. Parents were so thankful for absolutely everything that they got to choose, and it was really nice to be a part of that.”
– Anonymous (2025 Volunteer)
Continuing the Spirit of Giving
This holiday season has been truly remarkable for the Abbotsford Christmas Bureau. We received over a record number of applications, a number that continues to grow each year, reflecting the increasing need in our community.
None of this would be possible without the incredible support from our donors, volunteers, and sponsors. Your generosity ensures that we can continue to bring joy, hope, and resources to those who need it most. As we look ahead, we are inspired by the community’s spirit of giving and remain committed to expanding our reach, helping even more families celebrate a brighter holiday season with your support. Thank you for being an essential part of our mission and for making this season so memorable!
