Empty Stocking Fund: Donations down, need is up, says Richmond Cares' Ed Gavsie

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Toys collected on the drive, which takes place Nov. 18 within the car parking zone of Lansdowne Centre, will go to the nonprofit’s Christmas fund.

Revealed Nov 17, 2023 • Final up to date 12 hours in the past • 3 minute learn

Ed Gavsie of Richmond Cares (left) with Insp. Michael Cohee, Cpl. Roy Wong and Insp. Kevin Beson on the Richmond RCMP detachment. Photograph by NICK PROCAYLO /10102863A

Final yr, Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie dunked the officer accountable for the RCMP Richmond detachment as a part of the annual RCMP Toy Drive.

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This yr, as an alternative of a dunk tank, organizers of the annual occasion are placing individuals behind bars.

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“Some notable individuals locally and others shall be jailed till they get sufficient donations to launch them, and saved there by the RCMP on scene,” mentioned Ed Gavsie, president and CEO of Richmond Cares, Richmond Provides.

And it gained’t be simply individuals — a number of the mascots in attendance, such because the Richmond Fireplace Division’s Blaze and the RCMP’s Security Bear, may even be rounded up in an effort to gather extra toys for Richmond households.

Final yr’s drive collected 1.7 tons of toys. “The toys got here in so quick that we are able to’t rely them,” Gavsie mentioned. Toys collected on the drive, which takes place Nov. 18 within the car parking zone of Lansdowne Centre, will go to the nonprofit’s Christmas fund.

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Richmond Cares, Richmond Provides acts as each volunteer centre for town and likewise the operator of a number of group packages for seniors and households. Based 91 years in the past by Ethel Tibbits, writer of the Richmond Assessment, the Richmond Christmas Fund is its best-known program. Funds raised by The Province’s Empty Stocking Fund go to the Richmond Christmas Fund in addition to different bureaus within the Decrease Mainland.

Final yr, the fund helped 2,835 individuals, a 22-per-cent enhance over the earlier yr, together with 1,178 kids and youngsters. Eighty volunteers labored on the Christmas fund, contributing over 1,200 hours.

This yr these donations are wanted greater than ever, Gavsie says.

“As a result of financial system, we now have seen a lot of our company sponsors drop out as a result of they simply don’t have the {dollars} out there. A number of renewed, however a number of did drop out. We have now had a few new what we name ‘angel donors,’ individuals who have donated $10,000 or extra. However fundraising is down general.”

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Registration for the Richmond Christmas Fund begins Nov. 15, after The Province’s publication date, so Gavsie didn’t know what demand will appear like this yr.

“If we have a look at a few of our fellow non-profits, for example the Richmond Meals Financial institution, it had a 53-per-cent enhance in requests for assist between September over January of this yr alone. So we don’t know what our numbers shall be, however we’re fairly certain there’s going to be elevated demand. So there shall be much less funds via fundraising and extra demand. It’s going to be a difficult yr for us.”

Additional complicating issues is a transfer to Lansdowne Mall.

“Our outdated toy room was taken away from us, after 20-some-odd years in the identical location. So we’re very grateful to the homeowners of Lansdowne and the operators who’re offering us with area to function the Christmas fund out of.”

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Due to the transfer, and in order to not disrupt Christmas customers, Richmond Christmas Fund is rising the variety of distribution days.

“Folks are available in and register after which get their meals playing cards and/or toys, if they’ve children, the identical day. There’s no preregistration. That’s why we don’t know what the demand goes to be. So we’ve elevated the variety of distribution days from 4 up to now to fifteen this yr to attempt to unfold the group a bit extra.”

For 105 years, The Province’s Empty Stocking Fund has been devoted to creating the vacations brighter for B.C. residents who’re much less lucky. With the generosity of our readers and supporters, the fund offers cash to 26 B.C. group organizations that present meals hampers and items to kids, needy households and singles.

The 2023 marketing campaign will run from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31. Donations might be made at:

On-line: https://theprovince.com/esf

By mail to: The Province Empty Stocking Fund; 968 East Cordova St.; Vancouver, B.C., V6A 1M6

By calling: 604-253-6911

2023 direct donation hyperlink: https://safe.e2rm.com/registrant/DonationPage.aspx?eventid=385682

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