Surrey Christmas Bureau’s toy depot gets new home after original site vandalized

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SURREY (NEWS 1130) — A local company has stepped up and donated space to the Surrey Christmas Bureau after the location meant to host the charity’s toy depot was vandalized earlier this week.

The organization, which provides meals and grocery gift cards to an average of 2,000 families who need some help over the holidays, was already anticipating a challenging season due to COVID-19.

Their toy depot was supposed to be set up at the Stardust Skating Centre, but after a break-in Thursday stripped the building of its wires and plumbing it was “unusable.”

On Saturday, Fabricana a Surrey company donated space at 13853 104 Ave., the former Funky Monkey Play Centre.

“This is a great location, it’s large, centrally located and easily accessible via transit,” says Executive Director Lisa Werring.

“The fact that it was a former children’s play centre seems particularly appropriate to our mission of ensuring children in Surrey are able to look forward to a fun and Merry Christmas with presents under the tree.”

RELATED: Surrey Christmas Bureau robbed, laptops and $6,000 in gift cards stolen

The bureau expects “record numbers” in 2020 due to the economic fallout from the pandemic.

“We still have a big challenge in front of us as many of the large toy drives are not able to go forward this year due to pandemic restrictions on events,” Werring says.

“Once we are settled into the new location, we will be looking for donations of new, unwrapped toys to make sure our shelves are full, as well as financial support for our Hamper program so that families are able to enjoy those all-important holiday meals together.”

Health and safety measures will change things this year, and Werring is encouraging anyone who plans on visiting in the coming months to get familiar with the new processes for dropping off and picking up donations.

“We cannot have folks lining up,” Werring notes.

Details on how to give and get help during the 2020 holiday season are available online. 

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