3 - Friday, December 16, 1988 - North Shore News YA SS YMUMdédd: Yi Veterans keep giving and giving at Christmastime UNIT 45 of the Army, Navy and Air Force vets were honored recently with a Friend of the Family award for their generous contributions to the North Vancouver Christmas Bureau. Christmas Bureau chairman Pat Orr presented the award to presi- dent Dave Tomlison on behalf of the North Shore Family Services Society for the work and ongoing interest the North Shore vets have shown towards the Bureau. The 850 members of Unit 45 have given a total of $18,000 to the North Vancouver charity over the past seven years. This year, the vets presented the Bureau with a cheque for $2,545.45, symbolizing the number of their unit. Orr, who heads the Bureau for the first time, had nothing but praise for the members. “They’re not wealthy people at all, and yet there they are — they haven’t hardly anything themselves and every Christmas they help.’’ Help comes in the form of pledges, polar bear swims, and through the charity box — which the vets have dubbed ‘‘the North Shore Drinkers and Loose Change Socicty.’” By EVELYN JACOB News Reporter **People started out giving a quarter. Now we have charity walks and New Year’s swims at Cates Park," said one member. A spokesman for members of the Army, Navy and Air Force vets said the award, presented to them for the first time this year, comes as a great honor. At the Christmas Bureau, meanwhile, applications for food hampers are down from last year, although more are expected be- tween now and Christmas. “The toy donations have been exceHlent,"’ said Orr. Food dona- tions are slowly coming in, but Orr says she isn’t worried. ‘‘People are just getting into the swing of it.’” Needy families can find relief through foud and toy donations at the North Vancouver charity, sponsored by the North Shore News. Local seniors, new immigrants me RAY JOHNSTON of the em Army, Navy and Air Force ™ Veterans unit #45 presents a fe cheque in the amount of ma $2 5.45 to North Van- couver Christmas Bureau fa chairman, Pat Orr. The vets aa were recently presented with fa Friend of the Family fo award by the North Shore wea Family Services Society for wm their contributions to the en charity. and unemployed families are all in need of help, but the real need is still for single-mother families, said Orr. W. Van firefighters heip make Christmas special RUTH STOUT would hate to think how she could get by each Christmas without the help of the West Van- couver Firé Department. By EVELYN JACOB News Reporter For the last 25 years or so, the fire department has worked hand- in-hand with the West Vancouver Santa Claus Fund, helping to make Christmas special for needy fami- lies. “There would definitely be a problem if they didn’t help,’’ says Stout, “I’d hate to think of how we'd get by without them.’’ Every December, the municipality’s firehalls accept donations of non-perishable food and toys for low-income families. This year, on Dec. 18, the firefighters will pack and deliver food and toy hampers to close to 200 families. “They’re always there to help people,’? Stout says of the firefighters, ‘‘they set up tables, they give me everything | need.’’ Last year the Santa Claus Fund, which is sponsored yearly by the North Shore News, helped about 200 needy families. This year the fund wilt probably help the same number, says Stout, with 180 ap- plications received to date. The needy include, for example, single parents, struggling seniors or unemployed families. But single mothers with two or more children far outnumber those requesting help from the fund, says Stout. “Some single mothers have quite than toys at this point,” says Stout. The North Vancouver Christmas Bureau is also in need of food. Food donations can be made at various depots around the North Shore carrying the North Shore News banner. Food or toy donations to the Santa Claus Fund can be made at any firehall, or by calling the Santa Claus Fund office at 922-6522. . rf. NEWS photo Nell Lucente Rebuilding bikes comes straight from the heart DON STEINBART doesn’t think that any child should grow up without a bicycle. By EVELYN JACOB Reporter And that’s why the West Van- couver firefighter has been building bikes for the West Van- couver Santa Claus Fund for the last 14 years. ‘*The fund gives me a shopping list for the type of bikes they need,’’ says Steinbart. ‘‘I’ve always managed to fill every order.”’ Steinbart puts together the two and three-wheeled bicycles in the basement of his home from old parts donated to him from junk stores and garage sales. “I usually use two or three bikes to make one new one. I take a seat from here, handlebars from there.”’ This year Steinbart has 10 bikes to build for needy kids. Not a mechanic by trade, Stein- bart says he honed his ‘‘mister fix-it skills’? from his father who worked for CCM Bicycles. “*T love seeing the childrens eyes NO CHILD should be without a bike especially at Christmas. At least that is Don Steinbart’s philosphy. The West Vancouver firefighter has been fixing bicycles for needy children for the past 14 years. light up when they receive the bikes,’ says Steinbart. ‘‘No kid can grow up without a_ bike, especially when everyone on the block has one.” Here is how you can help the needy THE NORTH Shore News sponsors the North Shores two Christmas charities, which help to make Christmas special for needy families. Food donations to the North Va..couver Christmas Bureau may be made at any depot, advertised in today’s newspaper on page 24. Those wishing to donate toys can call the Bureau’s toy store at 984-TOYS. Monetary donations can be made at the North Shore Credit Union, which has set up a special fund for the Bureau. Income tax receipts will be issued for donations made. Food and toy donations to the West Vancouver Santa Claus Fund may be made at any West Vancouver fire hall or by calling 922-6522, Monetary donations can be made at the Royal Bank at 1705 Marine Drive in West Vancouver. The North Shore News Classified department is selling Christmas greetings to businesses and citizens to be published in the Dec. 25 issue of the News. One-third of the funds will go to the two Christmas charities. Phone 986-6222 before Dec. 19. to place an order. Cheques or food gift certificates can be mailed directly to the chari- ties — WVSF at P.O. Box 91114, West Vancouver, V7V 3N3, or the NVCB at P.O. Box 86061, North Vancouver, V7L 4J5. a few children to feed,’ says Stout, which puts an even greater strain on their already tight budgets. This year, non-perishable food is what the Santa Claus Fund is ask- ing for. “We're looking for food more NEWS photo Mike Waketlela RUTH STOUT, chairman of the West Vancouver Santa Claus Fund, cuddles a teddy bear recently donated to the local charity. The West Vancouver fire department has heiped out with the Santa Claus Fund for the past 25 years. Pictured from left to right: volunteers Jack Cameron and Irene Caverly and firefighter Don Steinbart.