Programs | Burnaby Community Services

Seniors Transportation

Burnaby Seniors' Transportation is an affordable and convenient service providing one-way and return trips for Burnaby residents who need assisted transportation to their medical and dental appointments within Burnaby, Vancouver, New Westminster and the Tri-City area. If cost, mobility or balance are an issue, Burnaby Seniors' Transportation is here to help.

For more information, please contact the Seniors Transportation Manager.

Donate or volunteer to help seniors in your community.

The BURNABY CHRISTMAS BUREAU provides Christmas cheer to people with low income and living in Burnaby through our Toy Room and Seniors Hamper Program. This continues to be challenging times for many people and we are anticipating great need again for families with children, and seniors with low income. There are several ways to participate.

Join us as a donor or volunteer and make a difference this Christmas season.
For families in need, register with us to select new toys for your children ages newborn - 16yrs. Click here for details and print the registration information sheet here.
For seniors living with low income in Burnaby, register to receive a Christmas hamper. Click here for details and an application form.

Donate Or Volunteer

Last year, with the help of our donors and volunteers, we brightened the season for over 3150 people in need through the Burnaby Christmas Bureau. There are many ways that you can contribute. Let’s work hand-in-hand and help make Christmas joyful this holiday season!

	Donate as a Corporate Sponsor and receive community recognition. Contact jennifern@burnabynh.ca or call 604-431-0400 with inquiries or for further details.
	Sponsor a Senior's Gift Hamper [Details and Application Form]
	Run an Angel Toy Drive for children [Details and Application Form]
	Bring New & Unwrapped toys/gifts/books to our Toy Room Date: Nov 1 to Dec 19, 2023 Time: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, or Sat 10am-3pm [Closed on Sun & Stat Holiday on Nov 11] Location: The Amazing Brentwood at 4567 Lougheed Highway, Old Sears Store location, Main Mall level, near the Children's Play Area [Direction & Location Map] Gift Ideas: Gift Ideas for Donors Note: There is a large red toy box outside the Toy Room for out of office hours toy drop-off.
	Make or set up a One-time or Recurring Monthly Donation online here.
	Mail or drop a Cheque payable to Burnaby Community Services at 2055 Rosser Avenue, Burnaby, V5C 0H1. Cheques can also be dropped off at our Toy Room during operating hours. We provide tax receipts to donations of $15 or more.
	Call (604) 292-3902 and provide your Credit Card details by phone. We provide tax receipts to donations of $15 or more.
	Be a Christmas Elf (help families select their toys in the Toy Room during Dec 1-21, 4 or 8 hours shifts), a Christmas Mover (help with unloading and moving donated toys or supplies in the Toy Room in November, December or January) and/or a Christmas Bureau Auxiliary (help stock, clean, sort, and assist with greeting at the Toy Room during Nov 1 - Dec 21). Please submit an online application at https://burnabynh.ca/get-involved-volunteer/
	Be a Volunteer Driver to pick up toys from donors and deliver them to the Toy Room in Dec. Please submit an online application at https://burnabynh.ca/get-involved-volunteer/

Applicant Registration

SENIORS
Applications will open from Nov 1 to Nov 30. Completed application forms can be given to Alexis by:

mail (4460 Beresford St, Burnaby, BC V5H 0B8)
fax (778-309-7899)
or email (alexish@burnabynh.ca)

For further information, please contact Alexis at 236-885-7281.

FAMILIES
Date: Nov 1 to Dec 9, 2023 (Closed on Sun & Stat Holiday on Nov 11)
Time: Mon-Fri 10 am - 4 pm; Sat 10 am - 3 pm [Close for lunch from 12:30-1 pm]
Location: The Amazing Brentwood, 4567 Lougheed Hwy, Old Sears Store, Main mall level, next to Children’s Play Area [Direction & Location Map]

Am I qualified?

Live in Burnaby
AND Families (with children from newborn to 16 years old) on income assistance or with low-income

How to register?

One parent can come in the Toy Room to register with supporting documents:
1. Proof of current address [dated within 2 months of the application] e.g. bill from Fortis, Hydro, internet or phone provider or current residency/tenancy agreement
2. Proof of Income for EACH Adult
  - A Proof of Income Statement (not Notice of Assessment) from CRA [To obtain one, download and print it online at CRA My Account > My Account for Individuals > Sign In > Tax Returns > Proof of Income Statement. You can also call 1-800-267-6999 for an automated service, OR call 1-800-959-8281 and press * to speak to an operator]
  - OR If you are on Income Assistance, you need to request a "Release of Information" from your Ministry Office
3. Identification for EACH Child - e.g. BC Services Card, birth certificate, passport, child tax benefit statement showing the children’s names, or Permanent Resident card

How and when to pick up toys?

Upon registration, you will be provided with a PICK-UP DATE and TIME in December to come back to the Toy Room to select your children's gifts. You will not be able to pick up any toys on your registration day.
We request that only 1 family member per household enters our Toy Room to register and pick up gifts. Please arrange for child care early.

Are there infectious disease safety protocols?

We will follow guidelines set out by the BC Ministry of Health and have safety protocols in place during registration and toy pick-up.
All visitors will be required to sanitize their hands and wear a mask at all times on site. Disposable surgical masks are available to those who need them.

Questions?

Call Marney at (604) 292-3900

Burnaby Christmas Bureau is generously supported by donors, volunteers, and many community members, including:

Camping Bureau

The Burnaby Camping Bureau provides subsidies for Burnaby children from low income households to attend a week of summer day camp. Our subsidies of $100 (maximum) will allow children the opportunity to attend a local camp that their families would otherwise be unable to afford.

To qualify, you must be a resident of Burnaby, have children ages of 5-15 yrs, be of low income and have supporting documentation.

The following documents MUST be presented at the time of your appointment:

A Notice of Assessment OR Proof of Income Statement (C-Print) for the year 2023 for BOTH parents (if married/living common law)

The document that is only available if requested through the Canada Revenue Agency. To order it from the CRA, call 1.800.959.8281, press * to speak with an operator or 1.800.267.6999 for automated service (only for Proof of Income Statement),
You can also find the document through 'My Accounts' online under MyCRA.

Recent Proof of Address - copy of a rental agreement- ex: copy of home utility bill (hydro, gas, cable, internet, landline phone) or bank statement of your saving or cheque account) dated within 2 months of the application.
ONE of the child's IDs: BC Services Card, Care Card, PR card, Passport, or Birth Certificate.

*Newcomer to Canada without income proof can request a referral letter from their child's school, settlement, or outreach worker as proof of need.

Parents MUST know which local day camp they are sending their child to when they arrive for their appointment, as well as have all the required documentation. Please have several choices of camp programs and dates, as camps fill up their spaces quickly. We will not be able to help you if you don't have a chosen camp or missing information.

To book an appointment or for more information, please call at 604.299.5778.

Appointments take place at Burnaby Community Services or BNH Brentwood House, 2055 Rosser Ave, Burnaby.

Donate to help a child have a life-changing summer.

FAIR Play Program (formerly known as Recreation Credit)

The Burnaby FAIR Play program provides a credit and an annual Be Active Pass to Burnaby residents in financial need. The credit system consists of a dollar amount registered in the Burnaby Parks & Recreation computer system under your name. Use the credit to sign up for any Parks and Recreation registered activities. The Be Active Pass gives you unlimited access to fitness classes, indoor cycling, gym, public skating, pubic swims and drop-in sports. There are some exceptions such as golf, personal training and birthday parties.

Qualifications:

You must live in Burnaby and fit one of these categories:

A. You receive government income assistance (federal or provincial)..
B. You meet the income criteria outlined on the application form.
C. You are a child with a disability.
D. You are a Canadian Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) applicant or a privately sponsored refugee.

Where to get an application form

Download here.
Burnaby Parks, Recreation and Cultural facilities
Our Brentwood Office at 2055 Rosser Ave, Burnaby (near Brentwood Skytrain station)

Application process

Please read the application form carefully and complete it thoroughly. See the back of the application form for details about eligibility, required documentation, and how to apply. If you need assistance completing the application form or gathering the required supporting documents, you can visit our office at 2055 Rosser Ave and our staff are here to assist you.

* You can apply for and receive the FAIR Play Credit once a year–and it's valid for a year. Any unused credit will be removed from your account when it expires.

Donate to improve access for those with low income to health and wellbeing.

Form and Tax Completion

The Tax Completion program offers assistance with income tax preparation through our participation in the Canada Revenue's CVITP program (the Community Volunteer Income Tax program). During the tax season, March and April each year, we offer appointments for individuals with low income to have their income tax completion done by volunteer tax preparers. Please click on the link here and submit a pre-screening booking form to determine your eligibility for the income tax program.

Form Completion is by appointment only. We are able to assist with:
CPP, OAS, GIS, SAFER, BC Housing and BC Bus Pass applications.

See poster for details, and please contact Charlene to book your appointment at SeniorsTransport@bbyservices.ca or call 604.292.3901.