The holidays are a time of giving, and that’s especially true in Agassiz and Harrison during the month of December.
There are a number of donation drives and events happening in the community this month, and nearly all are going to support Agassiz-Harrison Community Services. (The exception is the Salvation Army kettle drive, which will be taking place in front of the Red Apple on Pioneer Avenue.)
RELATED: Salvation Army kettles return to Agassiz
Each winter Community Services organizes its Christmas Bureau, which allows families in need the opportunity to pick up a special Christmas food hamper and look through the community coat closet. Families with children under 18 are also able to pick out a few toys from Santa’s toy shop.
RELATED: Over 150 hampers filled for Agassiz Harrison families
People participating in this year’s bureau needed to have registered by Nov. 15, and will be picking up their hampers on Dec. 19 at the Agricultural Hall.
Firehall Food Drive
Thursday, Dec. 5, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Thursday, Dec. 5, the Agassiz Fire Department, Kent Harrison Search and Rescue, BC Ambulance Service and youth from AESS and local service clubs will be heading out into the community for the fire department’s annual food drive. Members will be going door-to-door to collect donations, non-perishable food items and toys for Community Services.
If you want to donate, but won’t be home during the evening drive, you can leave your donation on your porch labelled “food drive.” Donations can also be dropped off at the Agassiz Fire Department (7652 Industrial Way) during regular business hours.
Fill a Sleigh
Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Agassiz’s Red Apple store is getting into the holiday spirit by inviting shoppers to help them fill a sleigh with toys for Agassiz-Harrison Community Services. People will be able to come by the store, drop off a toy and enjoy some photos with Santa, hot chocolate, apple cider and cookies.
This year’s goal is to collect more than $4,500 worth of toys for the community. In addition to the sleigh drive, 10 per cent of every toy purchase on that Saturday will go to support Community Services.
Stuff the Cruiser
Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Agassiz RCMP are inviting the community to fill a police car with new toys, non-perishable food items and cash donations on Saturday, Dec. 7. Done in partnership with detachments across the Upper Fraser Valley, each community event will go to support local organizations.
RCMP members will be at the SuperValu on Cheam Avenue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but donations can be dropped off at the detachment ( 6869 Lougheed Hwy) Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
RELATED: Agassiz RCMP invite the public to Stuff the Cruiser
Community Coat Drive
Ongoing until Friday, Dec. 13
Agassiz-Harrison Community Services is in need of warm clothing for its community coat closet this year. Residents are asked to donate new and gently-used coats, boots, gloves, scarves, pyjamas and other cozy clothes; new socks for all ages are also needed.
Donations can be dropped off at the community services building (7086 Cheam Ave) or at the Agassiz Thrift Store (6919 Cheam Ave) — just let them know its for the food bank coat closet.
CP Holiday Train
Monday, Dec. 16, 5:30 p.m.
Coming back to Agassiz for another year is the CP Holiday Train. Slowing to a stop in front of the Agricultural Hall around 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16, the train will feature the singing talents of Canadian country starts Terri Clark and Dallas Smith.
The free event will be taking place across the country in the lead up to the holiday season, and is intended to raise donations and awareness for local food banks in each community it stops at. Attendees in Agassiz are asked to bring a cash or food donation for Agassiz-Harrison Community Services.
RELATED: Dallas Smith, Terri Clark to perform on CP Holiday Train’s B.C. stops
Holly Jolly Christmas Lights Shuttle
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Agassiz-Harrison Community Services will be turning its shuttle van into a tour for local light displays on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Leaving from the Agassiz Library, the van will take riders on a drive through the community to look at holiday lights. Although the event is free, participants are invited to bring a small donation for the food bank.
Space is limited, and interested people are asked to call 604-796-2585 to reserve a seat.
Sponsor-a-Family
Ongoing
Community Services is inviting anyone interested in helping out a local family or senior this holiday season to consider sponsoring a Christmas food bank hamper. Sponsorships range from $100 to $250; forms are available at Agassiz-Harrison Community Services or by emailing info@agassizcs.ca.
To keep all hampers equal, donors are asked to provide cash only. Community Service volunteers will purchase, pack and deliver the food hampers.
Canned Food Fridays
Ongoing
The District of Kent is inviting all residents to donate their non-perishable food items on Fridays this month to support the Agassiz-Harrison Community Services food bank.
Donations will be accepted during regular business hours at the municipal hall (7170 Cheam Ave) and at the Community Recreation and Cultural Centre (6660 Pioneer Ave).
Are we missing something in our list? Let us know by emailing news@ahobserver.com.
grace.kennedy@ahobserver.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter