Ways You Can Give this Holiday Season Kerry Evans, OP Contributor Douglas College Hampers Financial Aid at Douglas College acts as a liaison between the students who are in need this holiday season and those who are kind enough to provide a hamper for them. If you are interested in donating a hamper to a less-than-fortunate family, you can contact Marie or Patty at 604.527.5487. They will be able to match you up with a family and will provide you with all the details you will need to prepare a much- appreciated hamper for them. The hampers need to be received by Financial Aid no later than December 14th, so con- tact them today while there is still time to give your support. Adopt a Family at Christmas The Fraserside Community Services Society has been actively involved in help- _ ing families throughout the year and it is no surprise that at Christmas they ask for the support of the community to adopt a family. There are several ways that you can support a family. You can purchase the gifts, wrap them up, and hand deliver them to your assigned family, or you can donate money or gifts to the society who will then have their volunteers disperse the donations accordingly. The donation is usually in the amount of $100-$150 worth of food, and a sepa- rate donation of approximately $50 worth of toys for each child. To participate, you can contact Helen Quo Vadis at 604.522.3722, ext 121. Burnaby Family Life Institute This organization would like to see dona- tions made to assist women who are ~ sy io battered women, parents in crisis, immigrants and pregnant, parenting teens, refugees, women who are less fortunate, and people who have survived sexual abuse as children. The Burnaby Family Life Institute’s goal is to raise upward of $3,000 for the purchase of toys, art supplies, and equip- ment. These supplies are used for the many different family resource programs that the organization offers and they are constantly needed. If you would like to donate, you can contact Jeanne Fike at 604.659.2200. Tired of Wrapping Your Own Gifts? If you are like me, then it’s enough to have to go to the parties, drink the eggnog, and buy the gifts. At the end of the day, who wants to sit around wrap- ping? Well, Metrotown and Metropolis Metrotown have the answer for you. This holiday season they are supporting three charities and are offering gift-wrapping by donation. The Canadian National Institute for the Blind will be set up in the upper level of Metropolis adjacent to Pearle Vision. The MS Society of Canada will also be in Metropolis outside Playdium. And The Variety Club will be set up in the lower level of Metrotown by the customer sery- ice desk. The. booths will be providing their wrapping services from December 1—24. Starbucks Toy Drive Yes, even Starbucks wants to get in on spreading the holiday spirit throughout the community. Starbucks is holding their annual Starbucks Holiday Angels Joy Drive until December 25th. You can go into any store and donate a new, unwrapped book or toy. Who will receive the donations? I am glad you asked. The books will be distrib- uted to libraries, community centres, and schools. The toys are going to be donated to children who are hospitalized due to serious illnesses. If you don’t have time to stop in at a Starbucks, you can make a _ cash donation at or . The Salvation Army Kettles Remember when Phoebe from Friends volunteered? That was funny. Well, it’s for real and I know you are dying for a reason to stand out in the cold ringing a bell. Here’s your chance. The around since 1881. Funds raised will go Christmas kettles have been towards supporting the street-feeding ministry, increasing the capacity at shel- ters, purchasing turkeys for Christmas dinner at the Harbour Light Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre, and purchasing toys for children through various commu- nity organizations. For more volunteer information, 604.299.3908 or . call visit Thousands of SY SAS EVERY WEEK! Computers, Furniture, ‘Cars... Grab a copy at your local newsstand "BC's Best Classifieds” New Every Thursday : New Every Thursday! tome deat upon receipt of is coupon tard the purchase othe specified protic, Trader Cassie’ Meda wil reimburse you he face vale ofthe coupon pus regular handing, Application for edemstion on any ober basis ay ‘constitate fraud and wil, st our option, void coupon Receive $2.00 off your next issue of the Lower Mainland presented. Applications for recmbursement accepted rom principals ‘orl. Wal to: Trader Classified Media PO Box 3000, Saint John, NB. E21 423, 7 bo eee eee ya Jan 31,05 Expiry date: Jan. 31, 05 becember 8 /anel