About
Good Neighbour
Kids Only
Rudolph’s Recycle
Toy Barn
Our Story
We are a British Columbia registered non-profit society, a registered charity under the Canada Revenue Agency Charities Act, and a Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau member. As a volunteer-run organization, we do not pay wages or honorariums for any reason. We do not conduct door-to-door, telephone, or email campaigns to solicit money. We depend solely on the generosity of residents, service clubs, organizations, groups and businesses for support.
The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society was established in the late 1960s by volunteers from community service clubs and the volunteer fire department, all people who wanted to help struggling families enjoy a wonderful Christmas. At that time, there was no registration, and the referral process was simply word of mouth. Local organizations, school teachers, and community members all submitted family names to the organization.
Today we are still local volunteers working together to ensure registered families with children up to the age of 18 receive a Christmas Hamper. And although the work scope has remained the same, changes have been made to ensure fairness and equality. We now have a registration policy, and rather than collecting food, we provide each family with a grocery store voucher. And we are still people who just want to help struggling families enjoy a wonderful Christmas.
Good Neighbour Program
Put a smile on a child’s face this Christmas. Recruit the help of your family, friends, colleagues or community groups, and give a holiday care package to a family in our community. The simple process begins by filling out a registration form. You will decide the size of the family you would like to sponsor, and we will match you with qualified applications. We provide the ages of each person and their wish list to guide your shopping. Download the form HERE. This year’s deadline is December 2, 2022.
Kids Only Gift Shoppe
Our one-day fun and festive Christmas event held exclusively for children. Each child gets paired with one of Santa’s shopping Elves to help them find the perfect gift to give their parents/caregivers. An experience meant to be an empowering moment for kids. Decorations, treats, fun and laughter… There is even a special appearance from Santa Claus spreading joy by handing out stuffed toys and collecting holiday wishes. A favourite holiday tradition for families and volunteers alike! If you would like to help by donating caregiver gifts, please click HERE.
Rudolph’s Recycle Gift Shoppe
Rudolph goes green!! Another helpful resource for our program’s families is that they all have access to our organized barn shop full of donated household goods, items, decorations, etc. Every donation of gently used clothing and items you make supports this program and your community. And as a bonus, it also helps keep stuff out of landfills. Make Santa happy and get on his Nice List. If you are interested in donating anything to support this part of our program, please click HERE for more information.
Toy Barn
Parents and/or caregivers who do not choose to participate in the Good Neighbour Program are invited to our Toy Barn to select from numerous generously donated brand new toys and gifts for their child(ren). Everything from stocking stuffers, sports equipment, board games, Barbies, LEGO, to makeup, shoes, clothing and more! Each child from birth to 18 years receives a gift hamper worth $125. Through the gift of a new toy, help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of love to local families and children in need. If you would like more information on what, where and when to donate, please click HERE.
How It All Comes Together
Once a family has successfully navigated our Registration process, the fun begins (not that registration isn’t fun!)!
Registered families can either request to participate in our Good Neighbour Program or elect to visit the Toy Barn. The Good Neighbour program matches a registered family in need with a family wishing to lend a hand.
We understand that parents know their children better than we do, so registered parents and/or caregivers who do not choose to participate in the Good Neighbour Program are paired with a Shopping Elf and invited to visit the Toy Barn to choose gifts for their registered child(ren). Everything from stocking stuffers to sports equipment, board games to Barbies, LEGO to leggings is available! Each child from birth to 18 years receives a gift hamper worth $125.
We believe that Christmas is about family, so we offer activities families can do together, like board games. But we also want our families to enjoy the luxury of a Christmas dinner, so we provide each one with a gift card that gives them a chance to pick up some special holiday treats at the grocery store.
Generously
Sponsored By:
