This Friday, Nov. 25, the River Rock Casino Resort will host the 6th Annual Richmond Christmas Fund Drive-Thru.
From 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., volunteers will be set up in the valet driveway and hotel lobby, collecting donations of cash and toys. Everyone who donates will get a free coffee and McDonald’s pastry in return.
The event supports the Richmond Christmas Fund, a program of Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives (RCRG) that assists low-income families during the holiday season.
“For the past four years, the (event) was held at Lansdowne Centre,” said Ed Gavsie, president and CEO of RCRG.
“They remain one of the Christmas Fund’s biggest supporters and most important partners. With River Rock, though, there’s an opportunity to bring the event to an even bigger audience, and that’s really exciting.”
For the first time, the drive-thru will feature entertainment, courtesy of the Steveston-London Choir, who will be performing Christmas carols. Santa will also be in attendance, thanking donors and taking photos.
In addition to the main location at River Rock, volunteers will be collecting donations at the Bridgeport, Aberdeen, and Lansdowne Canada Line stations throughout the morning, as part of a promotion called Canada Line Cares.
And for those who can’t make it on Friday, River Rock will be accepting Christmas Fund donations in their lobby from Nov. 19 through Nov. 27.
To learn more about the event and other ways you can support the Christmas Fund, visit online at RCRG.org.
“We’re definitely trying to grow the event, so we can serve more families in need,” added Gavsie.
Along with volunteer support, this year’s drive-thru is sponsored by River Rock, McDonald’s, Fairchild Media, PODS, AM1320 CHMB, Garden City Cabs, and Tourism Richmond.
