Christmas Program

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 “that one special gift” that a child or youth is hoping for. Purchase the gift listed on one of the Angel ornaments (or as close to it as possible), 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 (2023). 

CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS FOR SENIORS 

SOS also delivers filled Christmas stockings and gift bags to seniors who are 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. SOS welcomes referrals from the community to add to our list of seniors who receive the stockings and gift bags.

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 and at Qualicum Commons, 744 Primrose St. You can call us at Qualicum at 250-752-2040. 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 either SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville or Qualicum Beach 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 above), or attend an event benefitting the program! For Teen and Tween gift ideas click here.

REGISTRATION 

Local 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 residency
• 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)

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. The 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.

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!

Date: TBA

• 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.

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.