Registration has already started for the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society.
Families can register for a Christmas hamper this Sunday, Nov. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Christmas Hamper office at the Albion fairgrounds, on 105th Avenue across from Planet Ice.
Other registration dates are Nov. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Randy Herman building, 11960 Haney Place; and Dec. 7, 11 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Christmas Hamper office.
Documents needed to qualify include pay stubs, Care cards for yourself and your family, proof of age for any child 16-years and older, proof of residency in Maple Ridge or Pitt Meadows and photo ID.
The Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society is a registered non-profit and a member of the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau.
The society operates throughout November and December and collects toys, new and used, and provides a traditional turkey dinner for disadvantaged families. Every child up to 18 , receives a sack full of toys valued at $100.
Families are also treated to two days of free shopping at Rudolph’s Recycle Shoppe and a free shopping spree for the children to choose gifts for their parents and caregivers at the Kids Only Gift Shoppe.
Last year, the society volunteers helped 546 families.
Donations can be dropped off at the Christmas Hamper Society office.
In November, the office will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Starting Dec. 1, the office will be open 7 days a week until Dec. 20.
There will also be drop boxes for new toys at Haney Place Mall and Valley Fair Mall starting Dec. 1.
Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows firefighters will be collecting toys on Dec. 10 for their Firefighters for Families campaign at all the large food outlets in both communities.
Also the West Coast Express Santa Trains take place Dec. 10 and 17 where cash and new unwrapped toys will be collected in exchange for a free return trip to Vancouver.
Cash and cheque donations can also be made to Otter Co-Op in Pitt Meadows at 12343 Harris Rd. and at the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows News at 22611 Dewdney Trunk Rd..