Mission Christmas Bureau storefront office is officially open next to The Source at The Junction Shopping Centre.  With photos of local politicians, Mission Community Services Society board members, staff and volunteers taken by the Mission Record’s editor Kevin Mills, the excitement was well under way on Nov. 20.

Those who spoke, including MCSS board president Roger Dowker and Mission Mayor Randy Hawes,  said they were excited about the Christmas Bureau’s continuing work in the community, under the leadership of volunteers Lesley Drown, Mika Brosseau and an entire team of energetic supporters.  MP Jati Sidhu sent constituency manager Seamus Heffernan to share a message of Christmas cheer on behalf of the federal government.

A number of special events in the community rely on the generosity of the Christmas Bureau from the West Coast Express Santa trains (Dec. 9, Dec. 16), Rotary Carol Festival (Dec. 6) at the Clarke Theatre, the Mission Candlelight Parade (Dec. 1) and Festival of Trees at All Saints Anglican Church Hall (Dec. 5-9).

The special Mission Fire Rescue Service Food Drive dates are Dec. 7 and Dec. 14.

LilyFeather Creative 778-823-0778 was busy with the Mission Christmas Bureau storefront office and is painting windows around town. Heather, owner of the company, had some help with pictured Christmas Bureau elf, Avalon Lawrence.

Many businesses in the community are collecting for the Christmas Bureau, from coats and blankets by Abstract Glass, teams of photographers creating family portraits, and pizza operations offering specific donations for the amount of product sold.  A beverage and burger night was set Nov. 24 at the 14th Avenue Pub as a Bureau fundraiser.

Donations of non-perishable food, new unwrapped gifts, sponsorships and money is being accepted at the Bureau’s storefront office at The Junction from now until Dec. 22.

Bureau hours are Monday to Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Follow the MCSS Food Centre and Christmas Bureau Facebook page for the latest Christmas Bureau information, including some very interesting and generous donors.

For more information, including how to register for a Christmas Hamper for yourself, your family or a senior, call 604-826-3634.