The Annual Christmas Dinner in Oppenheimer Park was started in 1988 as a way to help the New Hope Centre feed the homeless.  In 1992, Mary Anne Waterhouse, Julia Neville, Al Uglanica and Jane Mundy founded the Oppenheimer Park Christmas Fund. 

 

Over the past 17 years, with the help of numerous volunteers, local businesses and the film industry, the Oppenheimer Park Christmas Dinner has expanded from feeding 300 in 1988 to 2,800 in 2004.  It now includes the distribution of warm clothing as well as donations to places such as the Union Gospel Mission, Triage Emergency Services, Carnegie Centre and Powell Place Women's Shelter.

 

It's always tough at this time of year for the Downtown Eastside, and we always look forward to serving Christmas Dinner; this year on Saturday, December 17th, 2005.  Volunteers are needed to serve food, cook turkeys, donate Christmas baked goods and desserts, clean up and distribute clothing.

 

To help with food on the day:                                     To help with cleanup:

Date:    December 17th, 2005                                         between 2pm-4pm - when catering trucks have

Place:  Oppenheimer Park                                             served the last turkey dinner.

Dress:  Warm and waterproof (mitts are good)   

RSVP:  Jane Mundy:  email: janevm@telus.net or 604-785-6572                         

 

To cook a turkey and/or donate Christmas baking:

From Dec.1^st to:  Jane Mundy: email: janevm@telus.net or 604-251-4443 to arrange for pick-up of the turkeys on December 15^th or 16^th .  Instructions for cooking will be included with the turkey. 

Deliver turkeys and/or Christmas baking by 10:00 a.m. on December 17th to Oppenheimer Park, at the corner of Dunlevy and Cordova.

 

To donate to the clothing drive:

Box up your old clothes, toys, linens or dry goods and drop them off at William F. White at

8363 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby - Monday - Friday from 9am-12 or 2pm-5pm up until Dec 16^th.

 

To help sort clothes:  Please call Crystine Booth at 604-986-9998  or email her at crystine@telus.net or email Charron Hume at charronhume@netscape.net.  We will spend December 16th sorting clothing to distribute in the park on December 17th.  Sorting location is William F. White at 8363 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby

 

For financial contributions please call Mary Anne Waterhouse at 604-685-5435.