It might be the lights, the festive decor, or the fact that people can enjoy a holiday event from their front lawn, but the annual Christmas Convoy is a favourite tradition for residents in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
“I really, honestly, feel that the community loves it just because you can have friends over at your house and you can watch from the comfort of your own driveway,” said organizer Laura Faye, elated to learn that this was ranked one of the top three favourite charitable events of the year.
Born out of the COVID-19 restrictions, the first convoy was initially organized by Faye so people could get into the holiday spirit, while maintaining a safe distance from other people.
Last year, around 60 vehicles took part in the event, decorated with colourful Christmas lights and decorations.
The event, now going into its sixth year, will again feature two routes – one through the streets of Maple Ridge, and the other through Pitt Meadows.
On two separate evenings the vehicles will wind their way through both of the communities, collecting non-perishable food items and donations for the Friends In Need Food Bank.
“I love that it brings people into the spirit,” said Faye, of not only the people who watch the parade, but also the participants who take the time out of their busy schedules to decorate their vehicles, all to spread a little joy for the holidays.
“It’s really nice. It’s nice to see the people who are waving from their windows or coming outside and bringing lawn chairs and little firepits out front,” she added, noting people will literally line the streets in their cars to watch the convoy.
“I think that as a community, it’s nice to have these types of organizations that are going to help uplift, especially during the holidays when some aren’t always as happy or in the spirit,” she said.
Other favourite charitable events on the 2025 A-List, as ranked by residents of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, is the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation Gala, which was recently held on Oct. 18.
The Moonlit Harvest-themed event raised more than $460,000 for new hospital equipment, focusing on heart health.
More information us available at: https://www.facebook.com/RMHFoundation/.
Also on the shortlist of A-List favourite charitable events was the Show n’ Shine for Men’s Mental Health, organized by Stop Overdose Ridge Meadows.
The Show n’ Shine was born out of 2023 statistics that showed men representing about 75 per cent of the deaths due to toxic drug poisonings in the community and a desire to reach out to more men in the community.
For more information about STORM, people can go to: www.stopoverdoseridgemeadows.ca.