F

Deana Lancaster
News Reporter
DiLancaster@nsnewi.com
IT’S natural for emo-
tions to run high during
the holidays.
at ing time with
iFyou pond the holiSeye alone
you spen ys alone
— plus financial end organiza-
tional stress, can leave sorne of
us feeling like a bundle of
nerves by the time the
New Year arrives.
Down in a small warren of

rooms on Esplanade in. North.

Vancouver, December emo-
tions run even highcr than

average.

This is the home of The
Harvest Project. It’s also where
Diana Cowden, Judy Biluk,
Donna Toop and a small army

of. volunteers who collectively .

call themselves the North
Vancouver Christmas Burcan,
for food and gift:
North Vancouver families who
need the assistarice.
As they saz in a small office
. down at The Hirvest last week,
‘they: explained how recent
_ events had ieft all three of chem
_in floods of tears. -
ol SWe- ‘had a new

der Chk fe «my
.. “They want 0 get away
from: (a smatesialiuc view. of

“with all

she had an addiction problem
and was having a hard time
feeding and clothing herself
and her child.”

This year, the client is off
drugs and going to school, and
would like help in giving her
child a wondered Christmas.

Just talking about the peo-
ple whe donate and the peaple
who receive pets these seasonal

elves a little watery-cyed.

“We also take donations of
Kleenex,” said Biluk as Toop
sniffed, and the tio promptly
demonstrated that they can
laugh as hard as they cry.

In these six weeks before
Christmas, the staff and volun-
icers of the Christmas Bureau
will match about 850 families
and individuals in need with
donors who will provide them
. the = fixings
Christmas dinner and gifts for
every member of the family.

‘They will also make up bam

pers for individuals for whom
they can’t find a match,

“Donors often want to give
to a family with ” said
Cowden. “But a lot of our

“ dlients are inlvide individuals — ae ae 9

special rae
“Last year we helped a

"number of people who lost

their homes in a fire at Fourth
and Lonsdale,” added Biluk.
‘Tne bureau also collects

new, unwrapped toys, so that

of tha eilren and wrep

Recipients do fill in an
application and ere screened to
ensure that they’re deserving of
assistance. If you or your orga-

“nization would like to become

donors; cal! the N.V. Christmas
Bureau at 984-9627. In West

o Vancouver, call the West Va

Senta Claus Fund at 922-6522.

ney, Davidson
Two grax names team up to :
mas one tenific gift aot. Both
‘lighter end kayring are etchad

with tha famons HD logo

Capilano Mall
(604)988-0302 .

for

VOLUNTEERS and siaff at the North Venceuver Chrictmas Bureau ara now sin ths thick of thelr seeeonal good

_ deeds. They match North Vancouver families in need with donors, who provide a Christmas dinner and gits
for each membor of tive family.

p
ondary school presents a
Christmas concert and | silent

ment

auction. Table seating $10 by
reservation, bleacher seating $5
at the door. Price includes a

dessert and beverage. Everyone ..

welcome, -

rovided Sr The
Breakaways. Light — refresh-
ments served. Information:
Annwen at. 725-7725.

‘# British Columbia Boys

Choir

2:30 p.m. West. Vancouver
Unite Charch,
Esquimalt Ave, A Traditional:
Christmas Concert will feature
seasonal favourites, readings as

oS BOT ss See Ese SAR oS

on Hundreds
0 f items

| NEW LOCATION |
Park Royal North

BLOWOUT SALE¢

. # Festival .
5-8 p.m. Join the bus tour. to

the Van. Dusen. Gardens to...
experience the magic.of the ©

2062 «

well asa carol sing-a-long.
Tickets are $12/person.
Tickets: 322-5240.

Friday Dec. 10 :
Tour

illuminated garden. . Fee of ©
$16.05. Register: 925-7295.

Rriday, Dec. 10
*% A Soulful Sarisemas
7:30 p.m., West -Vancouver
Baptist Church, 450. Mathers.

A musical celebration of gospel -

and Christmas ‘carols featu
Marcus Mosely
bers from Ain’: -
$15/adult and $5/4
students. Ticket::'¥13- 0060
922-0911.

Dee. 10-12
# Pandora's - Vo:
Chantel

and

apy I cides and hot ch

Ibe served on, Dec. 18

lope : -
& p.m., at: the North Shore. *

Unitarian. “Church, *
Mathers, West’ V: The two
choirs present - Fi Flakes

— choral seasonings to vant

the heart and: lift" the ‘sp

_ Admission.is $15/$12.. Or

tickets call 980-3199.

370 |.