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Christmas charities need volunteers

SANTA Claus gets all the credit, but the North Shore agencies that bring Christmas to those most in need give their thanks to the volunteers. And this year, like every year, they need a lot of extra hands.

SANTA Claus gets all the credit, but the North Shore agencies that bring Christmas to those most in need give their thanks to the volunteers.

And this year, like every year, they need a lot of extra hands. For volunteers, however, it's a holidays gift to give that stands out among the rest, which keeps people like North Vancouver resident Laura Irving coming back 12 years after she began working with Family Services.

"I can't imagine not doing it," she said. "It's this wonderful warm little feeling you get inside. Like when it's really cold outside and you have that wonderful hot cup of tea. That's kind of like the Christmas Bureau."

Last year, the Christmas bureau of Family Services delivered toys to 805 children under 16 and gave out 735 hampers, serving a total of 1,900 people through their annual toy drive with toy stores as well the sponsor-a-family program. This year, the big drive is Dec. 3 at the Northshore Auto Mall, and the shop opens Dec. 5.

None of that is possible, though, without 150 to 200 volunteers every year, said Janet Sanderson, who manages the Christmas Bureau. She's hoping to recruit them all soon, but sometimes has surprise openings right up to Christmas. "For some it's just two hours, some it could be 30 hours a week . . . but we have volunteer jobs to suit everybody," she said, adding they often need people capable of heavy lifting. Potential volunteers can call 604-988-5281.

The Salvation Army is equally busy over the holidays. Volunteers are needed for the Christmas hampers and lunches and the coats for kids campaign, but especially for the kettle campaign: There are 20 kettle locations across the North Shore, and people with musical talents who can play an instrument or sing carols are a perfect fit. "It's our busiest time of the year. We have to raise the funds to do all our ministry, all our work for the rest of the year," said captain Glynden Cross. The money goes to find programs such as the emergency food hampers, the gate music program, the community church and kitchen programs. That's where Anne Bennett rolls up her sleeves - while she started volunteering at Christmas three years ago, she never really stops - serving food while greeting hungry people by name outside the church, where she's often known as "mum." She herself gets presents occasionally - including one former client of the army, who surprised her with a handmade basket with buttons sewn around it long after he had stopped using the service. "They're like a family, you know?" she said. More information at 604-988-7225.

Other options include North Shore Community Resources, which needs holiday volunteers until Dec. 24 to wrap gifts for customers at Capilano Mall, which raises funds for the organization, as well as Operation Red Nose and KidStart.

At Operation Red Nose volunteers are needed for 300 shifts, said Lions Gate Rotary Club president Yazdi Khapoliwala. The organization gives rides to those who've been drinking over the holidays, two people driving in the car of the client, the third following behind in another car to pick up the volunteers at the other end. In exchange, they raise money for youth sports on the North Shore. Interested volunteers can download a form online at www.nsorn.org.

KidStart is looking for volunteers to help assemble Christmas hampers across the Lower Mainland - at least 150 hampers need to be put together, but up to 300 can be made depending on funding. Each costs $65, says program coordinator Hala Nugent, and donations are also sorely needed.

For up-to-date needs, a listing of volunteer options provided by North Shore Community Resources runs in the North Shore News every Sunday.

tholloway@nsnews.com