Red Deer's Christmas Bureau is celebrating their 60th anniversary in the community and will be accepting applications until Dec. 16.

By Alessia Proietti

Taking applications until Dec. 16

Red Deer Christmas Bureau 60 years and counting

Nov 15, 2021 | 11:41 PM

The end of the year is near and with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Remembrance Day behind us, the next celebration for many turns to Christmas. A bundle of joy mixed with a tinsel of stress, Red Deer’s Christmas Bureau is here again this year to help keep this holiday as festive as possible.

This year also marks the Bureau’s 60^th anniversary spreading the community with Christmas cheer by its volunteer staff. Sunday was also the 6th annual Christmas Wish Breakfast held at the Pidherney Centre to continue the Families Helping Families tradition, where toys were donated and donors thanked in return with a free breakfast.

Serving residents of Red Deer County, Penhold, and Springbrook, the Bureau opens as a store where those accepted can have a personal shopper and “purchase” toys, food, Christmas decorations, and more, all at no cost.

“We have it kind of set up like a mini Walmart and they can come in and pick off the shelves for their kids. We also provide them with pajamas, mitts and toques, stuffed animals, puzzles, games, books, and anything else we may have; Christmas trees, ornaments, all sorts of things,” said Teresa Kutynec, volunteer since 2004.

The starting date for applications began on Nov. 1 and continues until Dec. 16. Applications are based predominately on family income level. An interview takes place and documents requested are of a one-month bank statement, pay stubs, income support cards, Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped card, and Alberta Healthcare card.

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“Last year we did 700 kids, the year before that we had 1,000,” said Kutynec.

By the third day this year, 27 applications had already been made to the Bureau.

Shopping began Nov. 8 and continues until Dec. 17. Until Dec. 22, food and toy hampers will continue to be distributed to families. Red Deer’s Bureau also serves the Sylvan Lake and Lacombe communities after their Christmas Bureau’s close in early December.

“You get here and you work with the people. You’re helping kids celebrate Christmas,” said Kutynec. “That Christmas morning running down the stairs and seeing what Santa brought. That’s why we do it all.”

Kutynec included her two kids in the volunteer process since they were young, fulfilling many of the year-round duties like purchasing toys during the off season, organizing donation bins, and fundraising. The Bureau is only closed for the summer.

The Red Deer Christmas Bureau is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Red Deerians can also donate toys and Emco’s Tub of Toys located at the Ensuite Bath and Kitchen Showroom on 4605 61^st Street or at our stations BIG 105 and 106.7 Rewind Radio, located at 2840 Bremner Ave.