23rd Annual Pan Pacific Vancouver Christmas Wish Breakfast – November 30

The Pan Pacific Vancouver Christmas Wish Breakfast and partners Global BC and JackFM are back for another epic toy drive benefiting the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 from 6-9am.

Photo: Ryan Decorby

Now in its 23rd year, the Christmas Wish Breakfast is the largest toy drive fundraiser in the Lower Mainland.

Photo: Ryan Decorby

All generous Vancouverites are invited down to the hotel to donate an unwrapped toy in exchange for a hot buffet breakfast at the Café Pacifica Restaurant in the hotel lobby.

Photo: Ryan Decorby

Every year, thousands of Christmas go-ers are whisked through the hotel lobby where they can donate their toys, meet Santa Clause, enjoy a hot buffet breakfast and soak in the action. Last year the event received over 26,000 toys and over $25,000 cash which gets donated to the Lower Mainland Christmas Wish Bureau.

Photo: Ryan Decorby

The Morning News crew from Global TV – Sophie Lui and Steve Darling – will be on hand as well as Larry and Willy from JackFM for a live broadcast. In the background, you’ll be treated to the sounds of the Good Noise Gospel Choir.

Photo: Ryan Decorby

Chris Bayliss, Executive Director of the Lower Mainland Christmas Wish Bureau:

“I have been doing this for 12 years and I can say that every year the need grows. We have already started stocking our bureaus throughout Metro Vancouver and by the time the first week of December hits we will have sent out over 50,000 toys.

The Pan Pacific Vancouver Christmas Wish Breakfast is our largest toy drive of the year and the generosity of Vancouver at this time is what ensures we can continue to help everyone, especially the kids, have a good holiday season.”

Photo: Ryan Decorby

For me, this will be my first experience at the Christmas Wish Breakfast. From what I’ve heard from staff and former attendees, this event is a sight to see – with the shear number of toys collected and the amount of food distributed alone. I’ve been told the kitchen uses almost 25,000 eggs and over 20,000 sausages for the breakfast buffet…and this year they’re expecting more!

Note: If you would rather make a cash contribution, you can do so in the hotel lobby or online at www.lmcb.ca. There will also be free parking for all attendees which will be provided by Vinci in the underground parking of Canada Place.

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See you on November 30!