Christmas Bureau

Christmas Bureau 2017 Wrap up
January 17, 2018

Christmas Bureau 2017 Results

Another Christmas is wrapped up and we wanted to say thank you to all who helped make this year another success! Whether you gave in time, money, service or all the above, it made a difference and we are so thankful. We know that many of you do not give out of excess, but rather make sacrifices in order to make giving to the Christmas Bureau possible and we admire that so much. Watching the community surround us once again is an amazing experience. We are so grateful to be able to witness our community show such love to the families who come to us for help.

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December 22, 2017

Our Favourite Stories

Updated: December 22, 2017

Every once in a while, we need to take a step back and remind ourselves of the good that is happening right under our noses. While the names have been changed to protect our guests, the stories are real. Real families, and real experiences. Their lives may be difficult, but they are made a lot better by our amazing community.
Here are a few of our favourite stories:

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November 28, 2017

Best Toys for Tots Breakfast Yet!

 

The magical feeling of Christmas was hard to deny at this year’s Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast presented by Quality Hotel.
The sense of a supportive community was tangible. Today, we are overwhelmed with gratitude toward our community and the heartfelt involvement and generosity towards children in need. Special thanks to the donor who came forward to match every donation at the event!

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October 25, 2017

Abby Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast 2017

Toys For Tots Christmas Breakfast is a fun family event that kicks off the Christmas season with the true spirit of the season – giving to children in need.  On November 24th from 6 am – 9:30 am the community is invited to bring a new toy for any age or a monetary donation to the event. Stay for a delicious hot breakfast, craft, photo booth, a visit with Santa, live Christmas carols and local entertainment.

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January 13, 2017

Hope Shared at Christmas

Now that we are officially on the other side of the Holiday whirlwind, we find ourselves reflecting on and savoring each and every story that was graciously shared with us. The theme through the stories, it seems, is one of overwhelming gratitude and hope from both the giver and receiver. As an organization, we are so thankful to get this type of feedback. We are honoured to be able to see and hear how our neighbours came together to take care of those who are struggling—especially through the Christmas season.

 

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December 22, 2016

You Made our Christmas Merry

Every year we are taken aback by the level of support that this community shows. From unforeseen food drives and financial collections to seeing a child sacrifice their birthday so that others can eat, each act of generosity is so encouraging to us. In all of it, in every act of kindness, every gift, and every sacrificed hour, there exists a common thread of hope–a hope that together we can make a difference in the lives of those that need it most. Together, this year, we make a stand that the hungry will be fed, the senior will not be forgotten, the family will know a community that cares and the child will know the joy of Christmas.

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You are the Key
December 14, 2016

Christmas 2016 Hours

We are so thankful for the wonderful support of our community. You are the key to making a difference in Abbotsford.  We have extended our hours into most of the Saturdays of December for your donating convenience – 10AM-2PM. December and January are full of Statutory Holidays, please note the image below for all holiday hours.

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December 7, 2016

Stories from the Change Makers

Did you know that if you live in Abbotsford, you are living in a place that is considered one of the most generous communities in Canada? We can certainly testify to the fact that our community rallies around those in need and has the heart to see lives changed.

We would like to introduce you to some of the friendly faces of Abbotsford. They are your neighbours who know the joy of giving in Abbotsford.

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November 29, 2016

Abby Toys for Tots – Incredible Response

Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast presented by Quality Hotel, has once again, left us feeling overwhelmed with gratitude toward our community. We have been blown away by our community’s heartfelt involvement and generosity towards children in need. Together we raised a record of 1,600 toys and over $32,000 in financial support.  The morning included spirited Christmas Music, a visit from Santa, delicious breakfast buffet, a festive craft corner, photo booth magic and an enchanted visit from princesses. One mother said – “I love bringing my kids to this event! The best part is letting them pick out a gift for another child. It’s great way to kick off the season. The princesses were a big hit in our family too.”- Sarah

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November 21, 2016

Ways to Help This Christmas

 

Christmas preparations are now in high gear here at the Abbotsford Food Bank and Christmas Bureau, and have been for many months. If Santa’s Workshop were a real place, we’d imagine it to look a lot like this. Gifts are flooding our doors, shelves are being stocked, and there’s a level of nervous excitement that doesn’t come around any other time of the year.

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December 4, 2015

Christmas Bureau – A story of Hope

Each year the Abbotsford Food Bank and Christmas Bureau lets you, our valuable supporters, know what our needs are financially. This year we need to raise $850,000 by year’s end to keep helping people in need in Abbotsford. A very helpful envelope should be arriving to your door this week.  We want everyone to know about the good work that is happening in our community through the Abbotsford Food Bank & Christmas Bureau.

who-do-we-help

 

Let us introduce you to Laurel

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December 1, 2015

Ramada’s Toys for Tots 2015 – Best Yet!

Best-one-yetThe 3rd 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

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December 1, 2014

Toys for tots Raises More!

Our hearts are full of gratitude for everyone that came out to the 2nd Annual, Ramada’s Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast!  The event was a great success!  An estimated 800 people attended, raising  $14,000 in financial donations and over 1,100 toys were collected at the event..  The success of this event would not have been possible without the investment from our community.  We would like to thank first and foremost, Ramada Plaza and Conference Centre for their desire to create a wonderful event.  The conference centre was beautifully decorated, the food was amazing, and your volunteer staff was so friendly and helpful.

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. Your volunteers were so willing to lend a hand, they even stood in the pouring rain without complaint!

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November 19, 2014

Ramada’s 2nd Annual Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast

Ramada’s Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast

We are one week away! Ramada’s 2nd Annual Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast is fast approaching.  November 28 from 6AM to 9:30AM is when the magic happens. Every item you donate shares the joy of Christmas and gives a child hope this holiday. This is the one Christmas event you do not want to miss! Bring a toy or $ donation and enjoy a free Buffet Breakfast. Don’t have time to stay? We thought of you! Drive by with your donation and receive a Tim Horton’s coffee & treat.

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January 30, 2014

Christmas Bureau Wrap Up 2014

Many of you who are reading this can proudly declare you were a part of the community that helped 978 of Abbotsford’s children experience the joy of Christmas!

2359 people were helped this past Christmas (2014) through the Abbotsford Christmas Bureau.

In 2014 with the support of community sponsors, volunteers, and financial partners, The Christmas Bureau was able to help 693 families (978 children) and 106 seniors at Christmas. Support from the community came through many avenues this Christmas: by sponsoring a family or senior, attending Ramada’s Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast, participating in a food or toy drive and other fundraising events.  You made a difference and we are so thankful!

Here’s what the families we helped are saying:

“It (being sponsored) was great. My family is very happy to have been sponsored. My children woke up Christmas morning to come see all the presents. Their faces were just priceless to see. It was a wonderful experience, and I thank you all very much”

“Well, right now we are in a struggle situation and we were not able to buy any gifts for our son or for each other with my husband but by this gift from Food Bank and the Christmas Bureau it was a blessing seeing the smile on my son’s face and we were able to have food on our table. Thank you!!”

“The sponsors were so great! Very thoughtful and went above and beyond! They made Christmas amazing for my family!”

“A super awesome friendly family sponsored my daughter and I …my daughter got lots of great presents, as did I. The family went out of the way to find me gluten free foods and special treats for my daughter. They were amazing to us! I am on PWD (Persons With Disability) and didn’t know what I was gonna do this year with limited income (it pays the bills and household needs). The Christmas bureau is a such a blessing to have for families who struggle to make Christmas a joyful time for their kids! I am very grateful for this service and the people who make it happen”

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