press releases

Richmond Christmas Fund Drive-Thru Event a Success

December 13, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The first ever Richmond Christmas Fund Drive-Thru Event, held the morning of Thursday, December 8 at the Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel, provided further proof that Richmond’s spirit of giving is alive and well.

The event took place from 6:00am – 9:00am, so much of the time volunteers were working in the dark. Nevertheless, they were determined to brighten the holidays for families in need.

Volunteers from the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise, Scotiabank, and the Richmond Firefighters Association collected donations from the public, and in return handed out free coffee and a McDonald’s muffin.

“This year, we wanted to do something new to raise money for the Christmas Fund,” says Elizabeth Specht, Executive Director of Volunteer Richmond Information Services (VRIS). “The Drive-Thru Event was an idea we thought of several months ago, and required a lot of hard work to get off the ground. But with the help of some incredible volunteers, everything really came together. I think it’s safe to say we’ll be doing it again in 2012.”

Donations for the morning totaled $1,797, in addition to dozens of bags full of toys and books.

“Many people came on their way to work, and others made a special trip,” says Specht. “To everyone who donated, we offer our heartfelt thanks. We hope we’ll see you again next year.”

The Richmond Christmas Fund mobilizes the community’s spirit of giving to make holiday wishes come true for 2,000 low-income Richmond residents each year. Each person registered with the program receives a grocery voucher and nearly 1,000 children under 15 years old also receive toys or gift cards donated to the program.

Volunteer Richmond Information Services is a non-profit agency dedicated to enhancing the lives of Richmond residents by bringing people and services together through community information and volunteerism.

VRIS President Bruce Rozenhart (left) with Brian Williams of Ashton Service Group. Ashton’s service vehicles – 25 in total – were front and centre at the Drive-Thru Event, helping to light the Delta Hotel parking lot in the wee hours of the morning.

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For more information contact:

Ryan Luetzen
Program Coordinator, Communications
Volunteer Richmond Information Services
604-279-7129 / rluetzen@volunteerrichmond.ca