The holiday season is all about giving back and coming together in support of those in need, and there are plenty of ways you can do just that in Vancouver.

If you’re looking for ways to help make a difference this holiday season, these Vancouver organizations and charities are a great place to start. From festive fundraising events to direct donations, here are 8 organizations accepting holiday donations in Vancouver this year.

Canuck Place Children’s Hospice 

Lighting of the House

This organization’s beloved annual Lighting of the House tradition is taking place on Tuesday, November 28th at 5:30 p.m. at Canuck Place Vancouver (AKA – Glen Brae Manor). Presented by CIBC, the festive event represents giving light and hope to over 871 children with life-threatening illnesses and their families across BC and the Yukon.

Holiday Wish List

Canuck Place also has a Holiday Wish List for those who can donate arts and crafts supplies, Lego kits, and gift cards. Note that due to infection control procedures, the organization can only accept new toys that are still in packaging.

Vancouver Firefighter Charities

Wrap Day

Vancouver Firefighter Charities will host a ‘Wrap Day’ on Tuesday, November 28th at the Pan Pacific Hotel that will benefit the Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society’s ‘Sheway’ initiative that provides health and social services to women struggling with substance abuse.

Toy Drive at London Drugs

Every child deserves to feel the joy of opening a present on Christmas morning, which is why Vancouver Firefighter Charities are hosting an annual toy drive at London Drug locations across the city on Wednesday, December 6th:

  • 500 West Broadway, 7 am – 5 pm
  • Granville Street, 7 am – 5 pm
  • 2091 West 42nd Ave, 8 am – 4 pm
  • 2230 West Broadway, 10 am – 2 pm
  • 4970 Kingsway, 10 am – 2 pm

36th Annual Christmas Wish Breakfast

Likewise, the charity’s annual Christmas Wish Breakfast will be held at the Pan Pacific Hotel on Wednesday, December 13th, where over 100 VFC members (and Santa) will gather at 7 am to assemble donations into a towering mountain of toys. They’ll also accept unwrapped gifts to be donated to families in need by the LMCB.

Those who donate a toy will enjoy a free hot buffet breakfast where they can meet off-duty firefighters and enjoy holiday-themed music and entertainment.

Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre

The DTES Women’s Centre provides life-saving services and care to women-identifying individuals from all walks of life. In addition to urgently needed items like towels and underwear, the shelter has an official Wishlist for each location.

Miracle on Main Street

From Friday, December 1st to Tuesday, December 12th, Main Street Brewing is hosting a fundraiser requesting guests to drop off unwrapped toys, games, sporting goods, and gift cards to help support the DTES Women’s Centre.

All donations made to the Miracle on Main Street Toy Drive will be delivered to the shelter prior to its annual Children’s Christmas Party on December 16th.

Each guest who drops off a gift will receive a free flight of four Main Street flagship beers.

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The Greater Vancouver Food Bank 

 

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The GVFB is hosting multiple fundraising and donation-oriented events just in time for the holidays:

Science World 

Science World is a non-profit supporting teachers, students, and families across BC through various outreach programs. So if you want to help promote STEAM literacy in BC, you can support Science World by doing a bit of holiday shopping. Their Kaleidoscope shop has over 250 gifts to choose from.

Here are some ways to support Science World this holiday season:

Ronald McDonald House BC

Gifts in Kind

The Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from home for seriously ill children and their families. Their Gifts in Kind program helps ensure they receive a warm welcome and regain a sense of normalcy through gift cards and Wish List donations ranging from KitchenAid products to games and toys.

Donors can also use their Virtual Wish List as a contact-free option this holiday season to gift something special to children, teens, and their parents.

BC SPCA

In addition to holiday or monthly donations, the SPCA is doubling every donation made in BC on Tuesday, November 28th in honour of Rogue, Jaide, and Leo of the Eldon and Anne Foote Fund at the Edmonton Community Foundation (and an anonymous donor). Donations of up to $125,000 will be matched, and will go towards animal rescue, care, and housing across the province.

YWCA

Presents of Peace

You can help make the holidays safer and brighter for a single mother and her children on low income with YWCA’s Presents of Peace. Donors get to select the number of families (and family size) they’d like to sponsor based on budget. Each sponsorship includes gifts for each family member and a grocery gift card.

Note that gifts should always be purchased new, and be supplied with gift receipts in case exchange is necessary.

So there you have it, Vancouver. These community-wide organizations offer great ways to give back this holiday season.

Happy holidays!

Curiocity Staff

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