About
Good Neighbour
Meet Santa
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 16 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 gift card. 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. Simply, fill 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 each person’s age and wish list to guide your shopping, making it easy to choose gifts that will bring joy to the entire family. Your kindness and generosity can make all the difference in their holiday celebration.
Meet Santa
On Saturday, 21st December, from 10 am—1 pm, registered families are invited to enjoy some games and meet Santa! Families are encouraged to take photos of their children with Santa and enjoy a hot dog, popcorn, and hot chocolate. Plenty of holiday-themed activities will keep everyone entertained, ensuring a fun and festive time for all. It’s a wonderful opportunity to create joyful memories, and celebrate the holiday season together in a warm and welcoming environment.
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, and more. 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. Your generosity not only brightens someone’s holiday but also promotes sustainability in our community.
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, and LEGO, to makeup, and more! Each child from birth to 16 years receives a gift hamper worth $125. Help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of love to local families and children in need. Your gift helps make it possible for every child to wake up to a special gift under the tree.
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 16 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.
As the holiday season approaches, it’s the joy of shared moments—gifts under the tree and a warm meal with loved ones—that truly brings the magic of Christmas to life. Thanks to the incredible support of our community, we’re able to ensure that each family can experience these special traditions. Together, we are creating a season of celebration, where the spirit of giving makes the holidays brighter for everyone.
2024 – 2025 | Board of Directors
Tina Kirkpatrick (Chair)
Andrea Horne
Ann Morcom
Cal Sharpe
Gladys West
Linda Sharpe
Martin Broughton
Penny Hlookoff
Sheila Dodgshon
Sheila Graber
Theresa Flynn
Vic Morcom
Thank you to our generous sponsors.
