The team at the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society is bracing for a busy season.
So far the society has received 218 applications for help since registration opened on Monday, Nov. 18.
"It's hard to predict how many families and children will use our services this year, and given the economic climate we do feel that more families will require help," said Tina Kirkpatrick, chair of the society.
The registration process is now fully automated, explained Kirkpatrick, with families registering through the website, where they can upload their relevant documents, and which are deleted as soon as the registration process is completed.
"This is a new system for us and it's taken a few days for us to get used to it," said Kirkpatrick, noting that "teething problems" are to be expected.
Although the new system removes a couple of long, laborious steps, the society still has a very large number of applications where additional information is required. And, initial volume has been high, meaning the society is already in "catch-up mode".
Already, the society has 43 Good Neighbours, or private sponsors, whom they will be matching with registered families as soon as applications are approved. Many parents use this part of the program as a teaching moment, where sponsors take their own children to select toys and gifts for a registered family, explained Kirkpatrick.
This Saturday, Nov. 30, is the first 'shopping day' for approved applicants, where they will be able to pick out new toys for free to gift their children at Christmas.
This is for parents and caregivers who do not choose to participate in the Good Neighbour Program. They are invited to a Toy Barn to select from numerous generously donated brand-new toys and gifts for their children.
They can pick up stocking stuffers, sports equipment, board games, Barbies, LEGO, makeup, and more.
Every child from birth to 16 years will receive a gift hamper worth $125.
The Kid's Only event is back this year, although, over the past several years there has been a decline in the number of children attending the event. Kid's Only is where children are able to select Christmas gifts for their parents.
"It's been difficult to secure suitable gift donations," explained Kirkpatrick, noting that may not be the only reason for the decline.
Another reason may be that parents don't have access to transportation to the Albion Fairgrounds. So after going once to collect the gifts for their children, they may not be able to get back to the location again for another event. Especially if they also attend Rudolph's Recycle, where families have access to another barn filled with gently used donations of household goods and clothing, which will only be open on three different Saturdays leading up to Christmas.
This year the society will be hosting an event to allow registered families to take their own photos with Santa. Children will also have the opportunity to decorate a cookie, play a few games, and enjoy a hot dog from the Maple Ridge Lions Club.
"We have received wonderful donations to date and we have a few scheduled deliveries from upcoming toy drives," said Kirkpatrick.
St. Paul's Lutheran is hosting a toy drive for the Christmas hamper society from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 12145 Laity St. in Maple Ridge.
They will be collecting used toys in good operating condition for infants all the way to teenagers.
For more information about the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society call 604-463-6922 or go to: mrpmchristmashamper.org.
