Sponsoring families through the Langley Christmas Bureau enables those in need to not only have a Christmas, but experience one that is full of love, joy and promise.

Jacqueline Gwen Anderson has been a single mother for 23 years and had escaped an abusive relationship. When people reached out to her family through sponsorship, she was able to give back and make Christmas memorable for not only herself, but eight additional families that required assistance as well. She knew exactly how much her family would need and shared the rest to families that were too proud to apply.

During Christmas 2008, Aldergrove Senior Secondary School had sponsored Anderson and her family of five, which included her six- year-old granddaughter. She was given hampers full of food and gifts along with a card that had inspired the children and their families into the spirit of giving. It read, “Pay It Forward.”

Supporting less fortunate people through donations is a way of helping them to feel and think differently. We often take for granted the food that we are able to eat, and how the gifts we receive bring us joy. When we acknowledge that there are those that do not have this, we have the ability to extend our hearts and show them that we care.

When asked what Christmas would have been like without sponsorship, Anderson replied, “there would not have been a nice present, there would be no turkey, treats or candy.” When her children saw the abundance of food and presents wrapped neatly under the tree, they enthusiastically exclaimed, “wow” and “holy.”

The reality is that there are those who are struggling every day to provide for themselves and their family. Anderson recognized that because people were able to give to her, she was then able to pay it forward to single parents around the community.

Last year, 615 families applied to the Langley Christmas Bureau for assistance. The majority of these families were adopted by individual families, businesses and organizations. They provided food hampers and gifts for these families. The remaining 135 families received food vouchers and gifts directly from the Langley Christmas Bureau. It is our goal to adopt out all of our families this year. Together, we make this a special Christmas for everyone.

For more information, call 604-530-3001 or e-mail info@langleychristmasbureau.com.

— written by Teresa Quach, a communications undergraduate at

Simon Fraser University

The reality is that there are those who are struggling every day to provide for themselves and their family. Anderson recognized that because people were able to give to her, she was then able to pay it forward to single parents around the community.