Bryan & Tracy Johnstone of VERICO Riverside Mortgage Group are excited to announce their involvement with the 2013 Richmond Christmas Fund.  Bryan recently joined the Board of Directors in April and looks forward to working with a great group of business professionals from the Richmond and Steveston areas.  There’s a lot of exciting fund raising initiatives planned in the coming months and the team encourages everyone in the community to get involved and show your support.  If you would like to participate or have any great ideas please call Bryan Johnstone @ 604-274-9000 or email:  bryan@riversidemortgage.ca

Volunteer Richmond Information Services understands that not everyone is fortunate. Many families in Richmond live with only the barest of necessities. During the holiday season, financial pressures are particularly tough.

Our Richmond Christmas Fund program mobilizes the community’s spirit of giving, through monetary donations and donations of new toys and other gifts for needy families.

Each year, the Fund distributes grocery vouchers to low-income Richmond residents so that every family has the opportunity to sit down to a joyful holiday celebration.

More than 800 children 15 years and younger receive numerous gifts ensuring that no child returns to school in January without a wonderful story to tell.

Some fortunate families are matched with a generous sponsor for a custom food and gift hamper. Sponsors, who are usually individuals or corporations, then create a personalized food and gift package for their sponsored family based on the needs and tastes of that family. The number of families who receive hampers depends solely on the commitment and generosity of the community.

This program would not be possible without the 120+ volunteers who contribute their time each year to help with registration, toy distribution, data entry and fundraising events. If you’d like to help the Richmond Christmas Fund in some way, please call 604-279-7020 or email info@volunteerrichmond.ca