Drive-thru event at PNE aims to collect toys for Christmas Bureau

The Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau is holding a two-day drive-thrutoy drop-offon the grounds of the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver to collect donations for a holiday season that is expected to see strong demand for the organization's services.

The event is being held Thursday and Friday.

The bureau says help isgreatly neededbecause other fundraising events it usually hostshave been cancelled or scaled back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PresidentSusanLevang said her organization is also anticipating "unprecedented"demand this year, "as families grapple with the financial realities of COVID-19."

"We are really looking for the community to open their hearts," she said.

Levang said mini-doughnuts and coffee will be available to people who donate, courtesy of a donation from B.C. billionaire Jim Pattison.

People are being encouraged to reservea drop-off time window on from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. onThursdayand from6 a.m. to noon Friday. Toys must be new and unwrapped.

Levang said health protocols are being followed to make sure the event is safe.

The event was developed with guidance from Vancouver Coastal Health, organizers say.