Gifting with heart this season
Bright Lights at Stanley Park gives back to the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund every year.
T’is the season and many of us are looking for places to give. I like to give gifts to my family on behalf of charity. Sometimes we put together backpacks for the homeless. Sometimes we buy goats for farmers overseas. Sometimes we purchase school supplies for kids who can’t afford them or for classrooms that are required to supply them. I like to donate to the food banks, I volunteer with Christmas Care (because it saved my family one year). And yes, we do this all year long but it’s this time of year when gifting reaches a new level. If you are wondering where to direct your gifting this year, here are some ideas.
Where to Donate to LGBTQ2+ Groups in Vancouver
I’m sorry I missed this article last summer. It’s a fantastic listing put together by Angus Praught for Inside Vancouver.
Vancouver’s LGBTQ2+ community has a diverse range of groups, foundations, not-for-profits and charitable organizations devoted to education, fundraising and providing services for needs specific to our community. Many were created and evolved out of necessity, to address issues and provide services for people and situations that were not being addressed, or fully funded publicly.
Grassroots efforts, some of which started in the early 1980’s have evolved into registered professional foundations and organizations, which provide ongoing special services and produce a series of colourful fundraising events that highlight Vancouver’s LGBTQ2+ social calendar, year-round.
Following is a list of prominent organizations in Vancouver, with links to find out more about their operations, and to make direct donations in support of their efforts.
Gift of Warmth
Vancouver Regional Recycling supports the "binner" community in need of warm winter clothing.
The Gift of Warmth event invites public to donate clothing, warm winter gear and refundable beverage containers. Find out more ->
Give to the Food Bank
CBC had their 33rd annual Open House & Food Bank Day on December 6.
But you can donate to a BC Food Bank fund any day, just click on the button below! You can choose a town or city from a dropdown menu or you can just donate to the fund in general. This is such a good tool and you can use it any day, you don’t have to wait for December 6th! I’ve put a big button below to help you get there. Of course, this is a charity and you will receive a tax receipt!
Speaking of Charity Receipts
Many people find giving easier if they get a tax credit at income tax time. Only qualified donees, including Canadian registered charities, can issue official donation receipts for gifts they receive from individuals and corporations. Find a charity or other qualified donee, their current status and any available public information here —>
Bright Nights Christmas Train
During the holiday season, the Bright Nights Train and Plaza at Stanley Park sparkles with three million twinkling lights. We like to visit this every year with kids and grandkids. And your giving heart will be gladdened to learn that partial proceeds from the sale of Bright Nights tickets go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund, which helps burn survivors and their families. $1.4 million has been raised over the past 14 years.
November 26 - January 2. Best time to go is around 5 pm. The lineups are shorter and the lighting is perfect for family photos. Find out dates and times on this page - >
Homeless at Christmas
Our list of places to give is endless of course, so we’re going to give you one more list. Here are places to help those of us living on the streets this Christmas.
Union Gospel Mission - Meals, shelter and outreach. Donate here ->
Covenant House Vancouver - Providing love and hope to Vancouver's homeless and at-risk street youth. We help young people aged 16 to 24 who have fled physical, emotional and sexual abuse; those who have been forced from their homes; and those who have aged out of foster care. Donate here ->
Victoria Dandelion Society - The Victoria Dandelion Society is committed to supporting our street family, one person at a time. Give here ->
If you know of a resource we have not listed please send it to us here at whatsonqueerbc@gmail.com