It’s already beginning to look a lot like Christmas inside the former Langley Legion building on Eastleigh Crescent.
The roughly 12,000 square foot building, which is also the former home of the Timms Community Centre, is now the Langley Christmas Bureau headquarters.
Marcon, the company that owns the building, is allowing it to be used rent-free until the end of December.
On Wednesday morning, Christmas Bureau volunteers gathered at the new digs, to help unload toys left over from last year’s donations.
Among those volunteers was Leigh Castron, who has been involved with the bureau for the past 17 years, and in recent years served as co-coordinator along with retired Langley City fire chief Jim McGregor.
Both stepped aside from that role this year.
“The space that we had last year has been filled, so we had to look in the community to see what was available,” explained Castron, about the move.
The bureau will be open Nov. 1 to Dec. 14. Hours are Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and two Saturdays (Dec. 3 and 10) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families can register and people can donate.
To qualify for help, families have to register for the bureau in person during bureau hours, and must live in the City or Township.
They also have to have two pieces of identification to prove they are Langley residents, and must have children, school age or younger.
Castron returns to volunteer year after year because she feels everyone deserves a memorable Christmas.
“I grew up in such a loving family. We had such fun at Christmas time. My twin and I were born Dec. 24,” Castron said. “I can’t imagine any kids in our community not experiencing the love and support that I had.”
Regarding the roughly 125 volunteers, many of whom return every year, Castron said, “We’ve become a family. All the organizations and businesses... they’re all so supportive.”
Learn more about the bureau and how to help at langleychristmasbureau.com.