A new mascot and logo has been unveiled for the Richmond Christmas Fund, which kicks off this weekend to collect money and toys for those in need.
Richmond Centre MP Alice Wong joined representatives from Richmond RCMP and Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives (RCRG) — which runs the Christmas Fund — at the launch Wednesday morning at Trinity Western University’s Richmond campus in City Centre.
The new mascot is a boy bear with a blue-and-purple-striped scarf and red cheeks. The bear, which doesn’t have a name, has 25 poses designed for different occasions, according to Ed Gavsie, RCRG’s president and CEO.
“Our fund helped more than 1,700 Richmond residents receive Christmas gifts last year and has given away more than 7,000 toys,” said Gavsie.
“We were told that some of the kids wouldn’t have received any toys otherwise.”
The mascot will be revealed to the public for the first time on Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Richmond RCMP Toy Drive at Ironwood Plaza.
The public are invited to stop by the mall between 8 a.m. and noon to donate a new toy and “stuff” it inside an RCMP squad car, with the goal to fill up the car by the end of the morning.
People can also donate a new book or a minimum of $5. All donors will receive a pancake breakfast.
A video called Cop Car Karaoke, which was produced by the RCMP to promote the Toy Drive, was also screened at Wednesday’s launch.
In the video, MLAs John Yap and Jas Johal and Henry Beh, from the Richmond Chinese Community Society, were filmed singing Christmas karaoke songs in the car. It has received tens of thousands of views on both the RCRG and the RCMP’s social media.
“The Toy Drive is a very meaningful event,” said Wong.
“When I was a poor little girl in Hong Kong, I didn’t have Christmas gifts, and I was so happy when people from the military brought toys to my village. Those are my precious memories.
“And let’s not forget the refugees. It will be their first Christmas here. Let’s share our joy with them as well and show the generosity of us Canadians.”
As part of the Christmas Fund event series, the Richmond Auto Mall will host “Windows of Hope” on Tuesday, Nov. 21, when groups of volunteers paint holiday scenes on the windows of car dealerships, who then make donations to the Christmas Fund.
After that, the Christmas Fund Drive-Thru Event will take place at River Rock Casino Resort on Friday Nov. 25. People can donate cash and toys in the hotel lobby and receive coffee and a McDonald’s pastry.
A scarf with the RCRG logo can also be purchased for $100 with an $85 tax receipt, at offices of the Christmas Fund, the Richmond News and WealthSmart, or at any Christmas Fund events.
For more information about getting involved in the Christmas Fund campaign, see RCRG.org.
