The best part of donating to the Courier’s annual Christmas Drive for Directions Youth Services is “being nice to teenagers.”
That was the message from just one of the 12 students from the Lord Tennyson Elementary out-of-school care program who dropped by the Courier office Wednesday afternoon in a flurry of scarves, warm coats and toques.
Program coordinator Kathy Quinn accompanied the kids as they arrived, dragging a large red wagon filled with 16 white plastic bag stuffed with everything from gloves to scarves, deodorant to soap and toques to gift cards. This is the third year in a row students from the program have supported the Courier’s drive, launched by office manager June Stafford nine years ago.
Stafford began the project on behalf of Directions Youth Services, which assists homeless youth between the ages of 12 and 18 by helping them secure housing or a temporary job, improve their life skills and access medical services, such as addiction and mental health counselling.
Directions also provides hot meals, laundry service and shower facilities 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and offers a safe haven for teens to get off the streets.
A special thanks also goes out to the South Granville Seniors Centre for donating several bags of knitted and crocheted items, including blankets and toques.
Items still desperately needed by Directions include gift cards for fast food restaurants and coffee shops, socks, underwear, toiletries and anything warm. For more information about Directions, visit fsgv.ca. Donations of new goods can be dropped off at the Courier office, 1574 West Sixth Ave., between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday before Dec. 18.
Mount Pleasant
Beats on Broadway is an acoustic open stage showcasing some of the city’s best musicians at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, 800 East Broadway.
The featured performance this month is by the duo Vazzy, who play numerous instruments specializing in French music and Metis fiddle and take to the stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20. While you’re there, don’t miss the chance to try out the $2 bowls of Cambodian-style noodles cooked up by Muni in the kitchen. The event is by donations, which are shared between the performers and the neighbourhood house.
Grandview Collingwood
A special solstice coffee house takes place Dec. 21 in the Al Mattison Lounge for seniors, 55 years and older, at the Britannia Community Centre. Musicians taking part include Backspin, Clara Shandler: Sidewalk Cellist, urban folk band Illiteratty and the Tim Sars Duo. The music starts at 7 p.m. and the musical event is free.
Kensington Cedar Cottage
The Vancouver Farmers Markets’ Holiday Market takes place this Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Dr. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 75 vendors will offer their finest selections of food, art, crafts and home accessories for your gift-giving pleasure. Shoppers can also support Vancouver Farmers Markets by purchasing a reusable shopping bag, water bottle or T-shirt.
Check your coat for free and take part in the silent auction — not free. Also at the Croatian Cultural Centre is an event organized to help the last minute shopper.
Imagine it’s two days before Christmas and you haven’t finished shopping. Your choices are to hit the mall with thousands of other procrastinating shoppers to pick through the dregs of what’s left or drop by the Last Chance Craft Fair at the Croatian Cultural Centre, Sunday Dec. 23 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The one-day craft extravaganza promises to be a win-win event by offering an opportunity for vendors to sell the last of the holiday items — and a chance to redeem your reputation with the family. Admission is $5 and children 12 and younger are free. Even better, the first 50 people through the door get a free swag bag.
