The Mission Christmas Bureau officially launched its 2019 Wish Campaign on Tuesday morning.
Dignitaries, volunteers and other guests came to the Bureau, located in the Junction Shopping Centre on London Ave. for a brief ceremony.
Bob Ingram, a member of the board of directors, thanked all the volunteers who help out each year.
“They (the bureau) make Christmas a rather joyful experience for a lot of families, and particularly kids, who would not otherwise have that experience,” he said.
Christmas Bureau coordinator Mika Brosseau told the crowd that the campaign actually began on Nov. 4 and it has already been a busy week.
“Our first week has come and gone, 77 children registered so far. That’s high, that is amazingly high… and we have 44 food Christmas hampers so far which I’m not worried about. I’m expecting about another 600,” said Brosseau.
She said they had planned for 500 kids registered but the early numbers indicate there may be more.
Donations of cash, unwrapped gifts or food items can be made at this location (32555 London Ave.) during office hours – Mondays to Fridays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m.
