New Canadians celebrate their first Vancouver Christmas

VANCOUVER, Dec. 8, 2013 /CNW/ - This weekend, families who recently immigrated to Canada reveled in their first Vancouver Christmas with Santa, farm animals and live music.  The party was a celebration of the World Vision Gift Catalogue, a wonderful way for Canadians to make a difference around the world during the holidays.  Some gifts in the catalogue even support local programs, like The ReSet Group which is helping these new Canadians settle into their life in Vancouver.

It was a fun Saturday for the kids, who had the chance to pet woolly animals, sip hot chocolate and munch on Christmas cookies. They even got to meet Santa himself. For many of the children it was their first time meeting the jolly man in red, an incredible moment for all involved. Another highlight of the day was live holiday music with recording artist Ryan McAllister - another first for the recent immigrants was a chance to enjoy classic carols.

Quotes:

"It's a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season." says World Vision Gifts spokesperson Cristina Lima. "It shows the difference our generous supporters are making in communities around the world and in our own backyards through gifts from the World Vision Gift Catalogue."

Background information:

Featuring gifts that help people in countries around the world, The World Vision Gift Catalogue - Canada's largest source of alternative gifts - even has charitable gift options that help Canadians overcome poverty. These presents are the perfect meaningful gift for someone on your holiday list, and provide lasting hope and opportunity for children, families and communities. Find out more at www.worldvision.ca/gifts

World Vision supports a network of 85 grassroots community partners across the country benefitting more than 65,000 Canadian children living in poverty. The ReSet Group - a collaborative initiative between Kinbrace Community Society, New Hope and Journey Home - is one of World Vision Canada's local partners in Vancouver.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca

Video with caption: "Video: New Canadian families enjoy a festive Christmas celebration with World Vision Gifts and The ReSet Group". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20131208_C8784_VIDEO_EN_34665.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20131208_C8784_PHOTO_EN_34665.jpg&clientName=World%20Vision%20Canada&caption=Video%3A%20New%20Canadian%20families%20enjoy%20a%20festive%20Christmas%20celebration%20with%20World%20Vision%20Gifts%20and%20The%20ReSet%20Group&title=WORLD%20VISION%20CANADA%20%2D%20New%20Canadians%20celebrate%20their%20first%20Vancouver%20Christmas&headline=New%20Canadians%20celebrate%20their%20first%20Vancouver%20Christmas

Video with caption: "Video: Santa pays new Canadian kids a special visit to celebrate Christmas with the World Vision Gift Catalog and The ReSet Group". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20131208_C8784_VIDEO_EN_34666.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20131208_C8784_PHOTO_EN_34666.jpg&clientName=World%20Vision%20Canada&caption=Video%3A%20Santa%20pays%20new%20Canadian%20kids%20a%20special%20visit%20to%20celebrate%20Christmas%20with%20the%20World%20Vision%20Gift%20Catalog%20and%20The%20ReSet%20Group&title=WORLD%20VISION%20CANADA%20%2D%20New%20Canadians%20celebrate%20their%20first%20Vancouver%20Christmas&headline=New%20Canadians%20celebrate%20their%20first%20Vancouver%20Christmas

Image with caption: "New Canadians meet Santa for the first time at a celebration of The World Vision Gift Catalog with The ReSet Group (a collaborative initiative between Kinbrace Community Society, New Hope and Journey Home). (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131208_C8784_PHOTO_EN_34669.jpg

SOURCE: World Vision Canada

CONTACTS
Angel Cheng, 905-565-6200 ext. 3364, [email protected]
Genevieve Barber, 905-565-6200 ext. 2176, [email protected]