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Toys, gifts sought for more than 1,000 Tri-City children and teens. Here's how to help

Help SHARE make Christmas special for more than 1,000 children by dropping off a donated gift or making a financial contribution.
Diane Strandberg
Diane Strandberg
Share Toy Bank
SHARE will be collecting toys for children and instead of wrapping gifts will provide recyclable materials for wrapping for a small donation.Tri-City News file photo

Buying an extra gift for a Tri-City child will go along way to making the holidays special.

The holiday season is upon us, and with your support, SHARE Family and Community Services can make this season brighter for those they serve.

Last year, 1,100 children in the Tri-Cities received toys because of generous Tri-City donors.

This year, the Toy Bank will be open Dec. 1 to 24 at Coquitlam Centre between H&M and Dynamite, on Level 2, best accessed via the northwest or northeast entrances.

Volunteers will be collecting new, unwrapped toy donations for children and youth, and monetary donations via credit and debit.

However, this year SHARE will be doing things a little differently.

Instead of wrapping gifts for donations, SHARE will be selling sustainable and recyclable gift wrap packages for you to take home to wrap up your gifts.

For a minimum $2 donation, you’ll get a gift bag, tissue paper, and gift tag.

As Coquitlam Centre is focused on sustainability, this option is for people to purchase recyclable materials to take home to package their gifts and fits the mall’s environmental commitment, according to Valerie Hutton, director of fund development for SHARE.

If you would like to make a donation, feel free to stop by and say hi to SHARE volunteers anytime between noon and 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

This year, SHARE will be collecting food and donations for hundreds of vulnerable Tri-City families.

While schools typically collect food for holiday hampers, community food drives are also being held.

For example, in Port Moody, Thrifty Foods at Suterbrook Village is holding a holiday food drive on Dec. 4 and 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

You can also make a financial donation directly to SHARE here.

Other events coming up: 

  • Holiday Cheer at the Pier in Port Moody at Rocky Point Park on Dec. 4 from 6-8 p.m.; bring a non-perishable food item
  • Virtual CPR holiday train, Dec. 18, with performances, including The Strumbellas, The Odds, The Trews and more, via Facebook
    • For more information, visit here.