Did you know?

More than 100 young leaders have graduated from the Youth Now program.

Each year, over 100 non-profit professionals attend our training opportunities.

Over two dozen non-profit organizations have participated in the Youth Now program.

The CCRR provides nearly 400 child care referrals per year.

On average, the CCRR hosts 30 workshops and training courses each year.

Every year, over 500 child care providers and parents attend CCRR training opportunities.

Every year, RCRG completes over 3,000 grocery orders for local seniors.

Nearly 300 seniors make use of our Better at Home services.

Our volunteer drivers complete more than 1,200 trips annually.

At least 350 people per year find a volunteer position using our Volunteer Match program.

Close to 500 volunteers support RCRG’s programs and services.

Volunteers contribute nearly 23,000 hours to our organization each year.

Each holiday season, the Richmond Christmas Fund helps more than 2,200 low-income residents.

Every year, the Christmas Fund provides over 600 children with toys, books, and sports equipment.

The Richmond Christmas Fund was first started by Ethel Tibbits, in the 1930s.

The number of Neighbourhood Small Grants we’ve awarded has increased every year since 2014.

Block parties are the most popular type of Neighbourhood Small Grant project.

Every year, the Richmond Women’s Resource Centre serves over 7,300 local women.

The Richmond Women’s Resource Centre currently offers 16 programs and services.

Nearly 60 volunteers support the Richmond Women’s Resource Centre, contributing nearly 2,500 hours per year.

Richmond is home to over 350 registered charities, all of which rely on volunteer support.

There are nearly 13 million volunteers across Canada.

International Volunteer Day is celebrated throughout the world on December 5.

There are 35 volunteer centres in British Columbia.

In 2016, the Foundation awarded 10 grants to non-profit organizations, worth a combined $59,000.

The Foundation manages $6 million in 60 Forever Funds, returning, on average, CPI plus 4%.

Between 2020 and 2022, the Foundation distributed $656,000 in grants, scholarships, charitable disbursements, and Emergency Community Support Funds.

Foundation activities result in the enhancement of our community and residents’ sense of belonging.

ROCA has raised over $21,000 for local charities.

ROCA has performed its Elementary School Concert Series to over 8,000 students.

ROCA provides mentoring and life changing opportunities for aspiring musicians.

The Richmond Arts Coalition was founded in November of 2005.

RAC co-produces the ArtRich exhibition every two years!

RAC highlights Richmond's arts events in a monthly email.

The Richmond Music School is the oldest not-for-profit music school in Richmond.

The Richmond Music School offers affordable music lessons through its diverse programming.

Our students performed 40 hours of music to welcome the Olympic athletes to the 2010 Olympic Games.

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Volunteer with the Richmond Christmas Fund

Published September 05, 2023

September, of course, marks the end of summer, and the start of a new school year.

Here at RCRG, the month is significant for a slightly different reason: it's when Santa puts up his Elves Wanted sign, and officially kicks off another season of the Richmond Christmas Fund.

The first step, always, is building our team of volunteers, who will provide invaluable support as we work to distribute grocery vouchers, toys, books, and gift cards to nearly 3,000 of our neighbours in need.

This year's program will run from November 15 through December 9, at Lansdowne Centre, and there are many ways you can get involved.

If you're a people person, you might consider volunteering as a Greeter or a Registration Assistant. Both roles involve regular interaction with Christmas Fund families, during which you'll help guide them through our qualification process.

If you'd prefer to volunteer behind the scenes, you can make a huge difference as a Data Entry Assistant. Once families register, but before they receive their items, you'll enter their information in our database, ensuring we can track this year's statistics and accurately portray the program's impact.

And don't forget the Toy Room, which serves as our version of Santa's workshop. It's where parents go to select gifts for their children, and is every bit as magical as it sounds. Volunteer opportunities are available as Toy Room Assistants, who help families navigate the different categories and find the perfect present(s), as well as Toy Sorters, who work to keep the shelves organized and well-stocked with newly donated items.

Volunteering with the Christmas Fund offers practical benefits: the roles are short-term and flexible, with shifts available on weekday mornings, afternoons, and evenings, as well as on weekends.

The biggest benefit, though, is the difference you'll make in the lives of fellow community members, who, thanks to you, will get to experience the magic of a holiday celebration.

A complete list of Christmas Fund volunteer opportunities is available on our website. You can learn more about any of the positions by clicking the corresponding links. And if you find a role where the elf shoe fits, you can submit an online application!

Our one piece of advice is to apply as early as possible. Applicants are interviewed on a first come, first served basis, and many positions fill up quickly. If you want to be part of Santa's team, the best time to tell him is right now!