On Saturday Dec. 17th make sure you head down to the Haney CP Train Station (across from the Billy Miner Pub) at 4:15pm and check out the arrival of the annual CP Rail Holiday Train.

Since the program’s inception back in 1999, more than $5.6 million and over 2.45 million pounds of food has been collected in Canada and the United States to help those in need.

The goal of the Holiday Train is to collect food and money for local food banks and to raise awareness in the fight against hunger. At each event, the Holiday Train provides a box car stage, a line up of great musical talents and a corporate contribution to the local food bank. The community, in turn, is encouraged to donate food and funds, all of which stays in the community. In Maple Ridge, the Friends In Need Food Bank will collect money and cash donations. Last year community members donated $21,000 and lots of food at the CPR event. To learn more check out the CP Website here

Christmas is not just about “getting”, but also about “giving”. If you are looking for a great charity to help out locally this year, please take a moment to check out the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Christmas Bureau. This 100% volunteer based charity works with local families to help provide the adults and children in disadvantaged families a real Christmas experience with gifts and food. Last year they helped 625 local families. To learn more about this great charity visit their website Here At this time of year they are looking for donations of cash , clothing, and toys to help make Christmas memories for those in need. They will be active in the community all month, including donation sites at the following places:

December 3rd – Christmas Festival – Downtown Maple Ridge

December 10th – West Coast Express Santa Train – Port Haney, Maple Meadows & Pitt Meadows Stations

December 10th – Firefighters For Families

Maple Ridge locations:

Coopers, Save -On- Foods – East MR, Haney Place Mall – South entrance, Valley Fair Mall – London Drugs entrance, Safeway – entrance facing Credit Union, Save -On- Foods – West MR
Pitt Meadows locations:

Superstore – both entrances, Signature Liquor Store, IGA, Starbucks

December 17th – West Coast Express Santa Train – Port Haney, Maple Meadows & Pitt Meadows Stations

Yup! You can have one of the best Santa Claus visits anywhere AND stay local. Venture into a world of Elves, legends and fantasy and bring back the traditional magic of Christmas! Explore the many interactive, rustic scenes and buildings that make up NORTH POLE BC, nestled in the scenic foothills of North Maple Ridge (North end of 224th Street). Your adventure will include: ~ Lessons in the Elvern School of Secret Skills ~ Help the Elves in the Toy Workshop ~ Stories and fun with Mrs Claus ~ A visit to the Post Office ~ Plus many more scenes & activities! The highlight of your tour will be a private family visit with Santa in his cozy cottage. Open Daily till December 24th. For bookings, early bird or group discounts, corporate Christmas events and other promotional offers and information, visit their website. www.northpolebc.com Pre-booking is required for all visits.

Want to get a kick start on your holiday shopping this year? Join us here at Monkey Business for a VIP late night shopping event! Not only will there be refreshments and give aways, but also some of our lowest prices of the season, exclusively for our VIP customers! Read on for the details!

- 25% off storewide*, including 25% off the last price on all clearance items
- Draws and giveaways throughout the evening
- Unique opportunity to place custom children’s room decor orders in plenty of time for holiday gift giving.
- Snacks and refreshments provided
- Opportunity to meet, peruse products and congratulate Maple Ridge’s own Elaine Comeau who recently had all the Dragon’s wanting to partner with her for her Easy Daysies product on CBC’s Dragon’s Den
So grab a friend and come on down to shop in a relaxed, casual atmosphere!

*some exclusions apply, see in store for details

Time: 5:00pm to 9:00pm

Monkey Business Kid’s Boutique

11947 224th St.

Please take a moment to RSVP atinfo@mbkidsboutique.com so we can be sure to have plenty of snacks and refreshments!