‘44 ~ Wednesday, December 1 0, 1997 — North Shore News

“Gift challenge presented

‘Did you know, thanks to Children’s Hospital Neonatal Hip
oe

TEACHERS at Canyon Heights ele-
mentary are challenging all North
Shore schools to show they care this
Christmas.

Staff at the school have pledged to sponsor
a family through the North Vancouver
Christmas Bureau. Now they are urging other
schools to do the same.

School staff rose to the challenge following
publication of a News story Sunday detailing
the Christmas Bureau’s plight.

“We want to show that teachers care about
families and kids,” said Canyon Heights librar-
ian Sheilagh Martin, who brought the story to
the attention of school staff Monday morning.

Last year, bureau programs assisted approx-
imately 900 families facing extreme financial

“need during the holidays, The program relies
entirely on donations of cash, food and toys

Sponsor.

from the community, said program coordina-
tor Diana Cowden.

Cash donations are $50,000 short of the
total received by this time last year. At the same
time, applications. from tmilies requesting sup-
port are up: 15% from last year.

There are currently about 200 families in
the bureau’s Sponsor-a-Family program that
are without sponsors.

Cowden said there are two ways to. help:
sponsor a family by assembling a hamper of food,
gift certificates, and other specialty items or
donate food, cash and toys directly to the bureau.

Martin is hoping not only schools but busi-
nesses and other professionals will follow the
teachers’ lead.

For dropoff locations and sponsorship
information, contact the North Vancouver
Christmas Bureau at 984-XMAS (9627).

— Layne Christensen

a- FAMILY
thie Christmas!

The North Vancouver Christmas Bureau
Needs You to Sponsor +a-FAMILY!

The North Vancouver Christinas Bureau is looking for families, individuals,
community groups, office groups and others to Sponsor-a-FAMILY
_ (or individual) in need this Christmas.

In 1996, with the support of those who sponsored a family, over 900 families were served.

In an effort to provide consistency donors are asked to supply a small gift and a
$50.00 holiday food certificate redeemable at a North Shore grocery store for each
sponsored family member. This allows the recipients to accommodate individual
_ dietary needs, allergies, extra baby foods, etc. Gift suggestions are provided
to make shopping for your hamper practical and fun.

Donors are asked to bring their finished hampers to the
Lucas Centre, 2132 Hamilton Street, North Vancouver
on December 8th or 9th between 13 am and 7:30pm.

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to share
at a very special time of year.
We welcome and encourage you to take part
in this North Shore tradition.

The Christmas Bureau relies entirely on the kindness and
support of the community to meet the financial needs
of the Cinvistmas Bureau. There is no government funding

for this program.

We ask you to generously support the Christmas Bureau.

For further information & to
Sponsor ¢ a¢FAMITY

please contact

a North Vancouver Christmas Bureau
“* 166 W. Esplanade, North Vancouver V7M 1A3

or call 984-XMAS (9627)

Working from Cixristmas to Christmas
Every chitd anu their family have access, regardless of their financial

NORTH

VANCOUVER

CHRISTMAS

BUREAU
A program of

FAMILY SERVICES
ofthe NORTH SHORE

situation, to all counselling programs at Family Services throughout the year.

SPONSORS

ae:

NORTH SHORE
CREDIT UNION

——
E [sussex]
F eeaure

atl
Screening Program, B.C. has ene of the lowest surgery rates SEX
for congenital hip conditions in the world? chic aTorrs Hospital

re
‘Sy!

we eee

Community Christmas Celebration
with Spectacular Festive Fireworks and Carol Ships
Friday, December 12th; 7 pm - 9 pm
It’s a Christmas party for the whole family on our harbour deck.
We'll light up the night with a spectacular display-of fireworks
to welcome a brilliance flotilla of Carol Ships! Come early!
Enjoy children’s entertainer, Joey Hanlon, and the dynamic
VOC Soul Gospel Choir as you sip FREE hot chocolate
and hor apple cider. Santa's coming too...and of course
he'll have treats with him! Dress warm! Donations to the

North Vancouver Christmas Bureau will be grarefully accepted.

Special Thanks to Tymac Launch Service Ltd.

north shore

Late Night Shopping Starts Mon, Dec. 15th: 9:30 am - 9:00 pm.

WY Cares

2 hours Free parking weekdays, with validated tick: from the customer service desk or any 2nd level shop.

Information: 985-6261.

Free ____ Pree parking on on weekends and late nights