Holiday Hampers 2023

Holiday Hampers 2023

Extended until December 8th

In the spirit of the season, the Charles Dickens PAC is asking for your support in helping to create holiday hampers for the families and individuals living in our community who could use a boost at this time of year.

The need this year is significant; all our partner agencies are seeing an increase in the number of requests for support they receive, and the reality is that nothing ever gets less expensive as time passes.

If you’re able to help this year, know that your gift will make a HUGE difference to someone living right here in your community.

There are two ways you can support our Holiday Hamper program:

1. Donate gift cards! Visit your local grocer or retailer and purchase gift card(s) and then send the card(s) to school with your kid(s). Classroom teachers will collect the gift cards on our behalf. We’ve been hearing from our partners that the gift cards that provide recipients with the most flexibility are ideal. Gift card ideas include:

• Grocery cards - Save On Foods, Buy Low, Safeway, Superstore, Walmart, Nesters or other local grocers

• Clothing gift cards - Old Navy, Gap, Walmart, Joe Fresh, Carters, Mark’s Work Warehouse, Sport Chek, etc.

• Flexible gift cards for retailers with a variety of merchandise choices: Amazon, Indigo, Toys R Us, Walmart, Best Buy, The Bay, Walmart, Sephora, London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, etc.

2. Donate cash through your SchoolCashOnline.com account: 

• The link above is a direct link to the Charles Dickens PAC donation page. If you sign into your schoolcashonline account, once you’ve selected the “Make A Donation” option, be sure to select E-Charles Dickens PAC as your Fund Destination (this works for gifts from both Dickens Main and the Annex).

• When you make your gift, please let us know that it is for the Holiday Hampers by making a note in the Message box. Gifts of $10 or more are eligible for charitable receipts, which are issued automatically by the VSB.

This year’s hampers will be distributed beginning the week of December 4th, so please be sure to drop off your donations to your classroom or office by Friday, December 8, 2023. 

If you have any questions, please email us at charlesdickensholidayhampers@gmail.com

Thank you! Your support is vitally important and deeply appreciated!

Holiday Hampers - Thank You for your support!

Once again, our Dickens Community heeded the call and our annual Holiday Hampers have been a huge success!

This year, we raised $13,010 in cash donations and more than $2,000 in gift card donations. Your generous contributions allowed us to support 26 families representing more than 100 individuals from our school community and those served by the Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House. 

In addition, we were able to provide support to 25 youths, who are aging out of foster care, with a donation of gift cards to Aunt Leah’s.

 
Hampers consisting of gift cards, a handmade card by a Charles Dickens Annex student and a box of chocolates as a sweet treat were delivered to recipients earlier this week and they were received with sincere gratitude.

Thank you to everyone who supported Holiday Hampers this year! Your generosity has a tremendous impact and has made the holiday season a lot brighter and much easier, not to mention much less stressful, for many people.
 
Warmest wishes for the holiday season!

** It's time for Holiday Hampers! **

  Charles Dickens Elementary School & Charles Dickens Annex

Holiday Hampers 2022

In the spirit of the season, the Charles Dickens PAC is asking for your support in helping to create holiday hampers for the families and individuals living in our community who could use a boost at this time of year.

Possibly more so than in years past, this year’s hampers will make a huge difference in the lives of those receiving them. The pandemic may be on its way into our collective rearview mirror, but the economic realities it has left behind are hitting those most vulnerable, hard. The last few years have been like a 1-2 punch and full recovery is still a little further down the road. Until we get there, it’s on all of us to lift our community up and ensure nobody is left behind.

Once again this year, we’re working to support local families, youth and seniors, by partnering with Charles Dickens Elementary & Annex, Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House and Aunt Leah’s Place to provide gift card hampers.

There are two ways you can support our Holiday Hamper program:

1. Donate gift cards! Visit your local grocer or retailer and purchase gift card(s) and then send the card(s) to school with your kid(s). Classroom teachers will collect the gift cards on our behalf. We’ve been hearing from our partners that the gift cards that provide recipients with the most flexibility are ideal. Gift card ideas include:

• Grocery cards - Save On Foods, Buy Low, Safeway, Superstore, Walmart, Nesters or other local grocers

• Clothing gift cards - Old Navy, Gap, Walmart, Joe Fresh, Carters, Mark’s Work Warehouse, Sport Chek, etc.

• Flexible gift cards for retailers with a variety of merchandise choices: Amazon, Indigo, Toys R Us, Walmart, Best Buy, The Bay, Walmart, Sephora, London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, etc.

2. Donate cash through your SchoolCashOnline.com account: 

• The link above is a direct link to the Charles Dickens PAC donation page. If you sign into your schoolcashonline account, once you’ve selected the “Make A Donation” option, be sure to select E-Charles Dickens PAC as your Fund Destination (this works for gifts from both Dickens Main and the Annex).

• When you make your gift, please let us know that it is for the Holiday Hampers by making a note in the Message box. Gifts of $10 or more are eligible for charitable receipts, which are issued automatically by the VSB.

This year’s hampers will be distributed beginning the week of December 5, so please be sure to drop off your donations by Friday, December 2, 2022. 

If you have any questions, please email us at charlesdickensholidayhampers@gmail.com

Thank you! Your support is vital and deeply appreciated!

**Thank You for our Holiday Hampers!**

WOW did this community do good this year!

When we sent our plea last Monday, saying that we were a bit short of our fundraising goal for holiday hampers, this community rallied and responded in spades! This year’s holiday hampers were a HUGE success thanks entirely to the generosity of the families at Charles Dickens Main and Charles Dickens Annex.

From fires to floods, under the blanket of a seemingly never-ending pandemic, it has been a tough year for everyone. Despite the challenges 2021 has thrown at us, this year’s efforts raised in excess of $17,000 in gift card and cash donations, and will undoubtedly put more than a little cheer into the lives of families who need it, especially at this time of year.

Thanks to your support, we were able to help 82 individuals across 24 households. That’s a huge deal and we simply couldn’t have accomplished it without you. All of the hampers were delivered to Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House, Aunt Leah’s and both Charles Dickens Main and Charles Dickens Annex late last week, in time for distribution ahead of the holidays.

Again, thank you so very much for your tremendous support. We wish you all the very best for a happy, healthy, safe and COVID-free holiday season!

** It's time for Holiday Hampers! **

 Charles Dickens Elementary School & Charles Dickens Annex

Holiday Hampers 2021

It’s that time of year again!

In the spirit of the season, the Charles Dickens PAC is asking for your support in helping to create holiday hampers for the families and individuals living in our community, who could use a little extra boost at this time of year.

Since the pandemic is not yet entirely behind us, we are once again requesting donations of gift cards and cash to help us assemble fun, useful, meaningful and impactful holiday hampers.

There are two ways to support Holiday Hampers:

1. Donate gift cards! Visit your local grocer or retailer and purchase your gift card(s) and then send the card(s) to school with your kids. Teachers will collect the gift cards on our behalf. Gift card ideas include:

• Grocery gift cards - Save On Foods, Buy Low, Safeway, Superstore, Walmart, Nesters or other local grocers

• Clothing gift cards - Old Navy, Gap, Walmart, Joe Fresh, Carters, Mark’s Work Warehouse, etc.

• Gift cards for toys - Amazon.ca, Indigo, Toys R Us, Walmart

• Flexible gift cards - Indigo, Amazon, Best Buy, The Bay, Walmart, Sephora, London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, etc.

2. Donate cash! through SchoolCashOnline.

• The link above is a direct link to the Charles Dickens PAC donation page. If you sign into your SchoolCashOnline account first, once you’ve selected the Make a Donation option, please be sure to select E-Charles Dickens PAC as your Fund Destination. 
• When you make your gift, please let us know that it is for the Holiday Hampers by making a note in the Message box. Cash gifts of $10 or more are eligible for charitable receipts, which are issued automatically by the VSB to your email.

This year’s hampers will be distributed beginning the week of December 6, so please be sure to drop off your donations by Friday, December 3, 2021. 

If you have any questions, please email us at charlesdickensholidayhampers@gmail.com

Your support is greatly appreciated. 

Thank you!

Thank You for your Contributions!

Charles Dickens Elementary PAC

Thank You! re: 2020 Holiday Gift Card Drive

On behalf of the beneficiaries of the 2020 Holiday Hampers, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support of the program.  It was a different year to say the least, and thanks to the generous support of the Charles Dickens School Community, in addition to all of the gift cards that were donated during the gift card drive, we raised more than $5,000! This year’s recipients included Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House, Aunt Leah’s Place, Baby-Go-Round and other members of our community.

Your participation went a long way toward making the holiday season brighter, easier and a bit more joy-filled for each and every hamper recipient, and we simply couldn’t have done it without your support.

THANK YOU!

2020 Holiday Gift Card Drive!

Charles Dickens Elementary PAC
2020 Holiday Gift Card Drive

The holidays will be a little different this year, so with that in mind, 

we have changed up our usual Holiday Hampers program into a special Holiday Gift Card Drive.

The need in the community is great and the best way for us to help is to 

match gift cards with those in need, so we Spread Joy, Not Germs! 

We have partnered with Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House, 

Aunt Leah’s Place and Baby-Go-Round.

You can help by contributing in the following ways:

 

1) Donate ANY AMOUNT online via your account at SchoolCashOnline.com  

   

Steps to donate online:

• Sign in.
• Click the Make a Donation button and choose an amount.
• Select E-Charles Dickens PAC as the fund destination for your donation and include a comment that it is for the Holiday Gift Card Drive. 
• Tax receipts are provided immediately.
• Cash donations must be received by December 9, 2020.

2) Contribute to our Gift Card Drive from December 7- 11, 2020. Cards will be collected by classroom teachers. 

Gift card suggestions:

• Grocery: Buy-Low, No Frills, Superstore, Walmart or Save-On-Foods, Safeway
• Other: Shoppers Drug Mart, Old Navy, Toys R Us, Metrotown, EB Games, Granville Island Toy Company, Best Buy, London Drugs. 
• Please note gift cards are not eligible for a tax receipt. 

Your support is greatly appreciated. Thank you! 

 

If you have any questions, contact Mona via email: charlesdickensholidayhampers@gmail.com

Many Thanks re: Holiday Hampers

Thank you so much for your incredible generosity this year! 

The Holiday Hampers have been delivered and gratefully received by all.  Our Dickens Community pulled together in a big way and we were able to serve 16+ families and individuals this year! That's a pretty significant increase over last year, so everyone should be proud. 

This year's hamper recipients included 11 families, 3 seniors living in our community, 2 youths who've recently aged out of foster care - thanks to "Aunt Leah's" for the connection, and an organization called "BabyGoRound" which helps families in need, care for their youngest members by providing them with baby gear to which they otherwise wouldn't have access.

As always, we are grateful for and humbled by the overwhelming generosity of our Dickens Community — thank you! 

Have a wonderful winter break!

Reminder - Holiday Hampers!

We have been deeply moved by the generosity of the Dickens Community in response to the Holiday Hampers program. We are supporting 17 families and individuals this year who've come through community partners like Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House and Aunt Leah's.  

This is a gentle reminder to everyone that the deadline for returning hamper items is this Friday, December 13 at the end of the school day! 

Tags are up at the Main and Annex and there are still a number that haven't yet been taken, so if you haven't yet had a chance to find a tag, there's still time! 

Your generosity will provide local seniors, families and youth in need, with a bit of extra support at this time of year.  

* It's Time for Holiday Hampers! *

If you have any questions, please contact Sara or Mona at:

charlesdickenstholidayhampers@gmail.com

**Holiday Hampers** - Thank you

Your generous donations are so appreciated, and will certainly make this joyful season even more festive for the participating families! 

Our warmest heartfelt thanks to everyone who took gift tags from the Giving Trees, and bought gifts & gift cards or gave cash donations towards our Holidays Hampers. 

An enormous thanks too to our volunteer shoppers, and to all gift-wrappers who'll be participating at the wrapping parties.

Have a wonderful Winter Break!

**Holiday Hampers**

The Charles Dickens Annual Holiday Hamper program is here again!

In the spirit of the season, the PAC is asking for help from the Dickens Community to create unique Holiday Hampers for families in need. Your donations will be greatly appreciated by the participating families! 

There are a few ways you can get involved, and helping out is easy! 

1) Look for the Giving Tree in the main hallway of both the Main school and the Annex, starting Monday, November 26. 

• Choose a tag from the Giving Tree to provide a suggested gift.
• Select a tag from the tree (with details about the child’s age/gender.
• Purchase the item*
• Bring the item (and the tag) to the school, unwrapped.
• Place your item in the drop boxes next to the tree.
• *Please ensure clothing items include gift/return receipt.

2) Provide a Gift Card from one of the following stores:

• Buy-Low
• No Frills
• Superstore
• Walmart
• Save-On-Foods

3) Donate Cash (or Cheques) at the school office

• Donations over $50 are eligible for a tax receipt. 
• Please pick up a form from the office and return it with your donation.
• Please make cheques payable to Charles Dickens PAC.

Drop off your gifts and/or donations by Friday, December 14, 2018

Thank You - all support is greatly appreciated.

*** Thank You! re: Gifts for Holiday Hampers ***

* It's time for Holiday Hampers again! *

The following hand-out and a small envelope was sent home with all students this past week!

If you have any questions, contact Heather or Daniela at dickens.div5@gmail.com

*Holiday Hampers* - Thanks & Photos

Each year our Holiday Hampers bring an abundance of joy – thanks to the generous hearts of Dickens parents & guardians! This year we prepared gifts for 19 families in our Cedar Cottage community:

Your thoughtful cash donations were used by our “volunteer shoppers” to ensure that each child received at least two toys and a book, one arts-and-craft kit or item, and two articles of clothing for the winter. There were also several delightful gift donations generated from the “wishlist” posted on our tree tags at both schools. The adults (parents/grandparents) received grocery gift certificates.

THANK YOU's

An enormous Thank You to Jacqui Thomas, Lauren Lautzenhiser and Lee Bensted who co-ordinated the entire “Holiday Hampers” campaign. A huge Thanks too to our volunteer shoppers and intrepid gift-wrappers!

And finally, many Thanks to all Dickens Families who donated! You've helped to make this season a little more festive for these 19 Cedar Cottage households. 

PHOTO's

Here are some pics taken at one of our two "Wrapping Parties"...

*Holiday Hampers* - date extended to December 12

Thank You to all those who have already dropped off their gifts! 

For those who haven't yet been able to shop, we've extended the deadline to Monday, December 12, to give parents & guardians another chance to make it happen...

Click here for more info about our Holiday Hampers...

Wrapping Parties for *Holiday Hampers* - Volunteers needed!

We're in desperate need of wrapping volunteers! 

Wednesday, Dec 14 and Thursday, Dec 15 starting at 7p.m. 

Ideally, we're looking for 15 to 20 volunteers for each night. 

If you can help out for an hour or two, please let Jacqui Thomas know 

which night (or both) you can assist us. 

Venue

The wrapping events will take place at Jacqui's house -- email Jacqui at jacquithomas@gmail.com for her address. 

What to bring with you

We have wrapping paper, tape and gift bags but please bring your own scissors! If you feel like bringing some snacks or a bottle of wine that would be greatly appreciated by all. 

Thank you for your kindness!

Sincerely,
Dickens PAC

*Holiday Hampers* - Do you have your tree tag yet?

*Gifts deadline has been extended to Monday, December 12* Remember to include the Original Tree Tag with your unwrapped donation! Thank you.

Holiday Hampers 2016

Holiday season is around the corner and more families than ever could use some help this Holiday season. 

The gifts and donation you give each year make a big difference to families in need in our community. This year the tree will be going up Wednesday, November 30th.   

Here is a sample of the thank you notes received last year. 

Holiday Hampers - Volunteers Needed

Thank you for your generous donations towards the Holiday Hampers! We now need as many hands as possible to help us with sorting and wrapping... 

A Wrap Party will be held this Tuesday, December 15
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Location: 1950 East 34th Avenue, Vancouver 

Please bring as many scissors and pens as possible with you. Tea will be served but feel free to bring any other beverage for sharing. Thanks very much!