Volunteers celebrate Christmas in the Streets, handing out food and supplies on a bustling, wet city sidewalk at dusk. The festive crowd gathers beneath the “Green Coast Rubbish” logo as Santa hats add holiday cheer.

Christmas in the Streets in Vancouver

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A collage of volunteers participating in a Shoreline Cleanup, cleaning up a wooded park and pond, bagging trash, and posing by a Green Coast Rubbish truck. Wearing gloves, they work together in nature, collecting garbage and loading it onto the truck.

The Tempe Heights Pond Shoreline Cleanup

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A sign reading “Green Coast Rubbish .com” with a red wagon graphic is nestled among pine branches. The note below says tree decorations were reclaimed from various cleanup jobs throughout the year.

A Green Coast Christmas Tree at Lynn Valley Village

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A collage shows musicians performing with instruments made from recycled materials, people standing by a Green Coast Rubbish truck, and a stage setup with various reclaimed items. The website greencoastrubbish.com appears at the bottom.

The Music of Junk!

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A simple illustration of a green heart with a dark green outline and a white highlight on the upper left side.

My Funny Valentine Recycling No No’s

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Green Coast Rubbish HeartsIf you are in a relationship or just want to pamper a loved one, February 14 is the day to make your funny Valentine smile with their heart. No matter what you do or where you go for Valentine’s Day, you can make it special while keeping it green by remembering a few recycling no nos.

What to do: Treat your loved one to a selection of hand dipped chocolate covered strawberries.
Recycling no no: Don’t forget to compost any leftovers and the strawberry stems.

Where to go:  Take her out for a surprise Valentine’s overnight getaway at a fancy hotel or resort.
Recycling no no: Skip the hotel water bottles and drink out of the tap.

What to do: Plan and cook your sweetheart a romantic meal.
Recycling no no: Food scraps don’t go in the garbage. All organics should be composted or recycled in your yard or garden bin.

What to do: Set a romantic mood with music, candles and a glass of wine.
Recycling no no: Cork the bottle if you don’t finish drinking all the wine and save it for another day. Don’t toss the bottles; these can be returned for change at your local Return It Depot.

Where to go: If cooking isn’t your thing, do book a reservation at her favourite restaurant.
Recycling no no: Don’t leave your doggie bag in the car when you get home. That’s a total waste of good breakfast food not to mention the unnecessary use of packaging.

What to do: If your sweetie specifically asks for a new Kobo or smart watch for Valentine’s Day, then knock yourself out but skip the coffee bean grinder unless you want to see her grinding her teeth.
Recycling no no: Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ll know that all electronics may be dropped off at an appropriate facility for recycling.

What to do: Flowers will melt your loved one’s heart – roses, mixed bouquets or potted orchids may be just the ticket.
Recycling no no: Skip the dyed blue roses and remember to compost the wilted remnants in a week or two.

What to do: Remember! Valentine’s Day is February 14.
Recycling no no: Mark it on your calendar or you’ll be recycling excuses for years to come.

A colorful toy carousel with horses is centered on a white background. Text reads Metro Vancouver Christmas Toy Drive in black, and www.greencoastrubbish.com appears at the bottom.

Give the Gift of Christmas to a Child: Metro Vancouver Christmas Toy Drives

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vancouver toy driveNo child should miss out on the joy of Christmas because their family is struggling financially or otherwise. These kids deserve to have their dreams come true; they need compassion and support.  You can give the gift of Christmas to a child by donating a new toy, cash or even baby supplies to one of several Metro Vancouver Christmas toy drives. Here’s how:

– Salvation Army Toy Mountain – Drop off a donation of cash or a new unwrapped toy at Toy Mountain in Guildford Mall on December 11 and 12. If you aren’t in the Surrey area, you can also donate by cash or cheque at any Salvation Army church or facility in Metro Vancouver.

– Victor Ghirra Toy Drive – New unwrapped toys are being collected until December 13 by the Victor Ghirra Toy Drive. Donations can be dropped off at any Lower Mainland Cooperators Insurance location, select VanCity branches or Riverside Banquet Hall in Richmond.

Basics for Babies

The Basics for Babies Fundraising Day is coming up on December 14 at the Langley Events Centre. Donations of cash, diapers, formula, baby food, baby cereal, baby wipes, baby shampoo, diaper cream and pacifiers are needed.  Donations of cash and baby supplies are also accepted at your local Metro Vancouver food bank.

Lynn Valley Legion 4th Annual Toy Drive

Bring an unwrapped toy to the Lynn Valley Legion until December 15. There will also be a cash collection on December 14 and 15 during the meat draw and bingo. The toys for this Metro Vancouver Christmas toy drive will be donated to the North Vancouver Salvation Army on December 16.

Family Services of the North Shore Christmas Bureau

Gifts for tweens and teens are the most needed items at the North Shore Christmas Bureau. Gift ideas include accessories, movie passes, gift certificates, sports equipment, electronics, make-up, bath products and art supplies. Donations of unwrapped toys for children of all ages are collected until December 22.

BC Children’s Hospital Foundation Christmas Toy Donations

Bring an unwrapped toy to Volunteer Resources at BC Children’s Hospital by December 15 or make an online donation to bring some Christmas joy to a patient and their siblings. Stuffed animals are not accepted.

West Coast Express Santa Train

Ride the West Coast Express Santa Train to Vancouver for free on December 13 in exchange for your donation of a new, unwrapped toy for your local Christmas bureau. The Santa train departs from Mission at 10 am with stops at all the WCE stations along the way. Enjoy a shopping day followed by a visit with Santa and a return trip back home at 4 pm.

SHARE Family and Community Services Toy Drive

Donate an unwrapped new toy at the SHARE Christmas Tree at Coquitlam Centre until December 24. Drop off is also available at the SHARE Food Bank, SHARE’d Treasures Thrift Store or at SHARE Family and Community Services in Coquitlam.

Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau

Donations of unwrapped new toys to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau can be made at Oakridge Mall and many Vancouver Firehalls until December 24 although fundraising continues year-round! The Lower Mainland Christmas bureau collects and distributes toys to 12 Metro Vancouver Christmas bureaus.

Empty Stocking Fun

The Province Empty Stocking Fund raises money and works with the United Way to support disadvantaged families and children at Christmas. Donations are accepted online, by mail, by phone or in person at The Province promotions desk or at participating HSBC and Scotiabank branches until December 31.

Food Bank

Foodbank donations are always needed, especially during the holidays.  You can make a big difference in the lives of local families and their children with your donation of cash or food items which are often used for Christmas hamper programs during the holiday season.

There is no gift like giving at Christmas. Let the magic begin…

 

*Toy carousel image courtesy of artur84 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net