THE WHALLEY SANTA CAUSE

You can now donate to our charity via paypal and we accept all major credit cards.

CAD

Hello my name is Erica Jane Beckstead, and in 2011 I started the Whalley Santa Cause to give back in my community. 

When we pay it forward or give ourselves to others that need it, we just become better.

Please donate by buying the items we need, such as; trial sized body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes and toothpaste. We are also collecting winter clothing that is slightly used. Sweaters & Jackets are a Priority.

To drop off donations please call the Coordinator Erica Beckstead at 778-233-4344

JOIN US DECEMBER 25, 2022 AT 1:00pm at Gateway Station on the street by the taxis

THIS IS OUR LAST YEAR !

Whalley is a Community in North Surrey. Surrey is the 2nd largest city in BC. Known for having a diverse community and a great place to live for culture and community activities.

But we also have Homelessness and Poverty, a huge number of Homeless and Drug Addicted people are living on the streets or in a shelter or some find treatment in our Recovery Homes. So there is a huge need for helping people. There is an epidemic of fentanyl overdoses in Whalley,  86 deaths have occurred in the last 3months due to drug overdoses . This community needs our help in so many ways.

Located on 108th and King George Hwy we have a huge social welfare problem we have what locals call, The Whalley Strip.

Homelessness has been shifted. The people who were living in tents on the street are now living in modular homes. But their are still homeless people as there is not enough housing for them, so they go from shelter to shelter. Living outside until doors open every morning. It's so aweful.

Overdosing on Heroin, and Fentanyl is higher than ever. So we as a Community need to help in any small way we can.

We need cash donations to help us make Christmas hampers, we use Donations to buy xmas wrap, gift bags, and purchase the very most high priority items we need. 

You may Donate by sending us a Bank Email Transfer at whalleysantacause@hotmail.com Password: Santa

We are set up for Automatic deposits

It takes $20 to help one person with Toiletries, and Winter Clothing

In 2011 Erica created a vision and a plan to give back to her Community of Whalley, (Surrey BC) where she has lived for many years. You too can give back and make a difference in someone's life, and become part of The Whalley Santa Cause.

She established this charity in 2011, by collecting soap & shampoo from Travelling extensively for work and staying in so many hotels every week while working on The Rocky Mountaineer Train. 

 Erica Says: "One day I thought, what am I going to do with all this soap? That's when I came to the realization of giving back to my community. I wanted to make a small difference in the lives of others. So I started wrapping all my hotel toiletries into beautifully wrapped xmas hampers and I only had only a few volunteers."

In 2011 I had a total of 3 Volunteers and I made around 50 hampers.

In 2012, I was overwhelmed by the 16 Volunteers that showed up that xmas morning on the streets with all their donations and kind hearts which made my vision such a big Reality. We had made around 100 hampers. 

In 2013 making over 200 hampers and having around 25 Volunteers we had alot of love to give out as we walked the streets together handing out Christmas gifts. We started out as strangers and ended up as friends.

In 2014, we made over 300 hampers and had the same amazing volunteers show up, like they do faithfully ever year. We also had Vancouver Televison give us our own commercial and had Mr and Mrs. Vancouver give us a donation basket to support our cause. Plus the Surrey Leader did a huge front page story on us, which was amazing. 

We are growing like crazy.

2015 was our 5th Year, it was so far our best year yet for sure. 

2016 was by far the biggest turn out of 45 Volunteers and boxes and bags full of toiletries and winter clothing.. which really helped those living outside in their tents. 

Thanks to everyone that donated money and donations and winter clothing, without your generosity none of this would be possible.

Happy New Year!

2017/2018 were really amazing. Both years we did 600 hampers. 

2019/2020 We were closed due to Covid-19

2021 We came back with a Vengence and collected over 200 Winter Clothing Items, and made about 70 xmas toiletries hampers. We had about 10 Volunteers which was amazing considering it was snowing like a blizzard and it was about -5 degrees out. We only encountered about 50 people wondering the streets and 2 people were actually living outside under a blanket. Shocking right? Yes it is.

Thanks to the Surrey Leader for publishing our story as this helped us recieve additional donations from the kind people of our Community. Due to the snow and cold conditions some members of this community were unable to drop off their donations but their hearts were in the right spot. We will see you again next year in December 2022.

In Memoriam in October 2017 we lost one of our Volunteers and he was an amazing person who has been with me since 2011, that person was David Graham of Surrey, BC. Rest in peace my friend.

PLEASE LIKE US BELOW ON FACEBOOK

The Whalley Santa Cause is a Community Event and Anyone can Volunteer. We operate every December 25th and we march the streets giving out Xmas hampers full of personal hygiene items like soap, shampoo, body wash, etc. We go down the street called THE WHALLEY STRIP. near Gateway Station. We do not recommend this for small children but it is a good life lesson about where not to end up in life. 

Its very harsh conditions, people are using drugs, selling drugs and living on the street. So we take 2 hours of our Day to help others in the Community. So come join us and Volunteer.  We are not in any danger but we still need to be aware of our surroundings. 

JOIN US DECEMBER 25, 2022 AT 1:00pm at Gateway Station on the street by the taxis.

DONATIONS : WHAT WE NEED

We need donations of New personal hygiene items such as deodorant, tooth brushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, hair brushes, Brand new socks only , sweaters, scarves and gloves and Winter Jackets.