HOLIDAYHAPPENINGS Light Up the City The Greater Victoria Festival Society is hosting the “Light Up The City” campaign every Saturday when you can drop off donations at a set of drive-through events in the ‘core’ municipalities of Greater Victoria until <strong>January</strong> 3, <strong>2021</strong>. Non-perishable food, new toys, and cash donations will help support local food banks, Salvation Army, and Toy Banks. Drive-through events will have Santa and Mrs. Claus on hand, Convoy trucks aglow, music, and more to enjoy as you drive through and drop off your donations. Social distancing practices will be in place at all drop-off locations. A new Christmas lighting competition welcomes entries in five separate categories: homes, apartment/condos, local businesses, community organizations and First Nations communities. The five winners receive a prize worth more than $1,000 and 15 prizes in all are up for grabs. Entrants must email photos of their displays, along with their street address. To enter and for more dates, times and drop off locations, visit gvfs.ca. The 29th Annual Festival of Trees The Bay Centre will be transformed into a lush forest of beautifully decorated trees to raise funds for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, all thanks to sponsors, local businesses, organizations and individuals. Guests can bring their loved ones, marvel in the magic of Victoria’s community spirit and vote for their favourite tree until <strong>January</strong> 5, <strong>2021</strong>. Your support will help provide the best care imaginable for sick and injured kids from across the province, including the 3,300 kids from Vancouver <strong>Island</strong> who visit BC Children’s Hospital each year for specialized care they often can’t get anywhere else. Visit bcchf.ca/event/ festival-of-trees. <strong>December</strong> 4: The Q’s Feed the Need, Mayfair Mall, corner of Blanshard and Finlayson; 6am-9pm <strong>December</strong> 5: The Bay Centre Lower Guest Services, 1-6pm; masks mandatory; Charity: Mustard Seed Food Bank and CFax Santa’s Anonymous Dodd’s Furniture and Mattress, 4900 Uplands Drive, Nanaimo; 10am-2pm; Charity: Salvation Army—wave to Santa from a safe social distance! Sunbelt Rentals, 2994 Jacklin Road, Langford; 402 Garbally Road, Victoria; 10115 McDonald Park Road, Sidney; 9am-3pm Fan Tan Home and Style, 541 Fisgard Street ; 10am-3pm <strong>December</strong> 6: Esquimalt Recreation Centre Parking Lot, next to Water/Adventure park, 3-5:30pm; Charity: Rainbow Kitchen and TLC Fund for Kids <strong>December</strong> 11: The Zone’s Toy Drive for Christmas Giving, Mayfair Mall, corner of Blanshard and Finlayson; 6-9am Salvation Army Citadel, 4300 Douglas Street, Victoria; 5-7pm; Stream by Chek on the Go; Charity: Salvation Army Thrifty Foods, Belmont Market, Langford; 5-7pm; Stream by Chek on the Go; Charity: Salvation Army Steve Marshall Ford, 3851 Shenton Road, Nanaimo; 5-7pm; Stream by Chek on the Go; Charity: Salvation Army Galey Farms, 4150 Blenkinsop, Victoria; noon- 8pm; Charity: Saanich Food Bank and C-FAX Santa’s Anonymous <strong>December</strong> 12: The Bay Center Lower Guest Services; 1-6pm; masks mandatory; Charity: Mustard Seed Food Bank and CFax Santa’s Anonymous Sunbelt Rentals, 2994 Jacklin Road, Langford; 402 Garbally Road, Victoria; 10115 McDonald Park Road, Sidney 9am-3pm Fan Tan Home and Style, 541 Fisgard Street, 10am-3pm Mount Newton Center Society, 2158 Mount Newton X Road; Central Saanich; 5-7pm; Mount Newton Centre Society drive thru; accepting cash donations or online Luxton Fair Grounds, 1040 Marwood Avenue, Langford; 5-7pm; Charity: Goldstream Food Bank and TLC Fund for Kids Dodd’s Furniture and Mattress, 825-12 Avenue, Campbell River; 1-4pm; Charity: Campbell River Food Bank and Salvation Army Toy Fund Habitat for Humanity’s Gingerbread Build It may look a little different this year, but Habitat for Humanity Victoria’s premier fundraiser the Gingerbread Showcase, sponsored by Revera, launched its 12th season in November. Thirty three bakers have answered the call to take part in this year’s event. These amazingly talented people who volunteer their time to create works of edible art, together with community hosts, are ensuring we are able to continue this must-see seasonal attraction—all to help raise funds for its current build project in North Saanich. “Coastal Living” is the theme for <strong>2020</strong>, our volunteer bakers have been invited to create beautiful pieces which reflect the incredible environment that we as a community are so privileged to share. Come and see what they create. Download your host map and take the tour through downtown Victoria and Sidney. Each creation is available for viewing from outside. To maintain social distance please stay within your bubble and remain 6ft (2m) from others. For a map, visit habitatvictoria.com. 34 <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Parent</strong> Magazine <strong>Island</strong><strong>Parent</strong>.ca
The tastiest family event in town! Visit our ten hosts on a tour through Downtown Victoria & Sidney to view these sensational gingerbread creations! Donate and vote online for your favourite. Every donation will help build ten affordable homes for local familes in North Saanich. Download your Showcase visitors map today! Our thanks to media sponsor Habitat for Humanity Victoria’s Nov. 21 , <strong>2020</strong> – Jan. 3, <strong>2021</strong> I donate and vote for your favourite www.habitatvictoria.com/ gingerbread<strong>2020</strong> <strong>Island</strong><strong>Parent</strong>.ca <strong>December</strong> <strong>2020</strong> / <strong>January</strong> <strong>2021</strong> 35
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