Christmas Program
Society of Organized Services
Caring for Community at Christmas
The SOS Caring for Community at Christmas Program ensures local children and youth experience the magic of Christmas, and that adults and seniors also experience joy and dignity over the holidays.
With your help, we can make sure that local children and youth are filled with excitement when they wake up on Christmas morning and see a special gift waiting for them under the tree.
SOS collects new, unwrapped gifts to fill the SOS Toy Shop, where low-income parents, grandparents, and caregivers can shop for free for their loved ones.
Also, with your support, families, adults and seniors receive local grocery store gift cards so they can choose food that is meaningful to them over the holidays. Together, we’re ensuring they have a good meal to share. Together, we’re helping create magic.
SOS is endeavouring to raise $285,000 to meet the needs of every resident who registers for the program this year, and to provide food assistance into the winter months.
To make a financial donation to the program, please click here. Please read the Donation section below for more ways to donate.
TO DONATE TO THE CARING FOR COMMUNITY AT CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
1. Financial donations
Thank you for bringing joy to local residents this Christmas! Click on this link to make a donation with your credit card.
Alternatively, call 250-248-2093 during office hours (Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, closed for lunch from 12 pm – 1 pm), or come by the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville during those hours, located at 245 Hirst Ave. W. in Parksville. For your convenience, tax receipts for financial donations can be mailed, or we can issue the receipt at the time of donation drop-off.
2. Toy and Gift donations
Toy and gift donations can be dropped off at SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville during office hours (Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, closed for lunch from 12 pm – 1 pm). Or locate an SOS Angel Tree at a participating business/organization (see the Angel Trees tab below), or attend an event benefitting the program! For Teen and Tween gift ideas click here.
REGISTRATION
District 69 families and individuals who need extra support this Christmas can register in-person at the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville (245 Hirst Ave. W.)
Registration begins November 19 from 9:30 am-11:30 am and 1:15 pm-2:45 pm
Please remember to bring:
- Photo ID for each adult (19 yrs+)
- Proof of residence
- Birth Certificates, Passports or Care Cards for children
- Proof of income from previous month,
such as a bank statement or government-issued document
(Click here for examples of acceptable Photo ID)
ANGEL TREES (Dates for Angel Tree Program 2024 TBA)
The Angel Tree program helps stock the SOS Toy Shop. Visit a local participating business and you’ll discover an SOS Angel Tree. The gifts listed on these Angels have been identified as needed in our Toy Shop. Purchase the gift listed on one of the Angel ornaments, attach the Angel to your unwrapped gift and return it to the business location or to the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville to ensure it is included in the gift distribution. Click here for a list of participating Angel Tree Businesses (2024).
CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS FOR SENIORS
SOS also delivers filled Christmas stockings and gift bags to seniors who are isolated or without close friends or family. This is a Newcomer’s Club initiative. The Club fills the Christmas stockings and gift bags with small gifts like soaps, toques, ornaments, socks, books and handmade gifts, and SOS volunteers deliver them.
VOLUNTEER AND SUPPORT
The deadline to apply to volunteer for the 2024 Christmas season is Friday, October 18, 2024. For more information call 250-248-2093 ext. 230 or click here.
Volunteer Orientation begins on October 22, 2024.
Host your own fundraiser:
Residents can host their own fundraiser with the proceeds coming to SOS to support families and individuals in need through the holidays. Please call 250-248-2093 ext. 246 for more information, or click here to learn more about ways to support the SOS Christmas program. For information on Community Fundraising, click here.
2024 COMMUNITY EVENTS BENEFITTING THE PROGRAM
1. Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive – December 4
a. The Main Event: Join us on Wednesday, December 4, from 6:30 am to 10 am at the Walbran Ballroom and Cedars Restaurant for the Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive. Participants are invited to drop off new, unwrapped toys, gift cards, or monetary donations and enjoy a complimentary breakfast.
b. Drive-Through Option: For those unable to attend the breakfast, a convenient drive-through option will be available at the entrance. Simply drop off your donation and receive a coffee and muffin to-go.
c. Pre-Event Option: Avoid the crowds by participating early! From Monday, November 18 to Friday, November 29, between 7:30 am and 11:30 am, bring your donation (new unwrapped toy, gift card, or cash) to Cedars Restaurant and enjoy a complimentary breakfast. Reservations are highly recommended.
2. Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie – November 18 to 24
- Kick off this Holiday season with kindness! Buy a Holiday Smile Cookie at our local Tim Hortons in Parksville to support your local community. Fifty per cent of proceeds will go directly to SOS Caring for Community at Christmas Program, while the remaining 50 per cent go to Tim Horton’s Foundation Camps!
Share the Smiles!
- Consider supporting this initiative by placing a bulk order—a perfect option for businesses looking to treat clients, customers, or staff with a holiday delight. It’s also an excellent choice for team celebrations or as a delicious addition to any holiday party! Click here for a fillable Bulk Cookie Pre-Order Form.
- Once you’ve completed the form, please email your form to donate@sosd69.com by November 13 to ensure your order will be processed the week of Nov. 18. *Please note, cookies will need to be paid for upon pick-up of the order.
- One box of smile cookies is $18.00 and includes a dozen cookies.
3. Silver Spur Toy Ride- Sunday, November 24
• Sponsored by Thrifty Foods in Parksville, Horses and riders from the Silver Spur Riding Club will dress up for this festive occasion and parade down the streets of Parksville.
• 2024 Parade Route: Starting at 12:30 pm, horses and their riders, dressed in Christmas attire along with a wagon and support vehicles, will begin their journey from Ballenas Secondary School. They will travel to Arrowsmith Lodge and Stanford Place before heading to the SOS Thrift Shop to drop off toys, gifts, and financial donations for the SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program. The horses and riders should arrive at SOS Thrift Shop between 1:30 and 2 pm.
• Thank you to Thrifty Foods for sponsoring this magical holiday event!
4. Red Apple Toy Drive and Fill the Sleigh Day – Saturday, December 7
- Red Apple collects toy and cash donations over three weeks. The cash donations are rounded up to the nearest dollar and used to purchase gifts needed in our SOS Toy Shop. Red Apple donates five percent of the sales made on Fill the Sleigh Day to SOS.
IN HONOUR DONATIONS
Consider making an In Honour donation this holiday season to celebrate someone special. By giving the gift of giving, you can donate to SOS in their name and download a special note to let your honouree know about this meaningful contribution.
Click here to make an In Honour donation by completing the Dedication Information section. You can also download a special note to let your honouree know that a donation has been made to SOS in their name (first name and last initial). Download your In Honour note here.
In addition, their first name and last initial will be featured on a special Christmas Honours page, which will be displayed here throughout December.
Stay tuned for more updates on 2024 Caring for Community at Christmas Events soon!
Please call 250-248-2093 ext. 229 or email coordinator@sosd69.com for more information about this program.
250-248-2093
sos@sosd69.com
245 West Hirst Avenue
PO Box 898
Parksville, BC
V9P 2G9
Charitable Number: 107021537RR0001
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