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Wrapping up Christmas Bureau for the season

Close to 700 local families received extra help this year
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Mission Christmas Bureau volunteers Tom Osterberg and Liam Mackie distribute holiday hampers to registered recipients.

Mission Christmas Bureau volunteers handed out close to 700 food hampers and gifts to local families this year.

This week, as bureau coordinator Phil Hope closes down the temporary office at the Junction Mall, he is thanking all the volunteers and generous donors for their help.

"We are so grateful," he said.

In the week leading up to Christmas, Interwrap invited Hope to its Christmas luncheon and presented him with a cheque for $3,300. On Dec. 19, the bureau also received a $2,850 cheque from the Mission Chamber of Commerce.

The annual Christmas at the Clarke concert was also successful, noted Hope, but the final numbers from the event have not yet been tallied up yet. Proceeds from the evening are split between the Christmas Bureau and the Women's Resource Society of the Fraser Valley.

"We really appreciate what John Agnew (concert producer) does every year," said Hope.

Fundraising started slow this year and despite the many donations from students, community organization, and individuals over the past couple of weeks, Hope estimates only 50 per cent of its $150,000 has been reached.

"Just because Christmas is over, we're not done," said Hope. "Further donations throughout the year are still appreciated."

Donations can be brought to the Food Centre, 32646 Logan Ave., any time during the year.