Santa's elves were busy all year at a seniors' complex in Abbotsford, and the results of their handiwork went to local charities on Thursday.
Hundreds of wooden toys, jewelry boxes, dolls and knitted items were distributed by the seniors of Crown Point Villas II on McCallum Road during their annual open house.
About 20 residents work year round to make the items. A group of men form the toymakers, meeting every morning at the on-site workshop to produce trucks, trains, pull toys, airplanes, jewelry boxes, and doll cradles and beds.
A dozen women form the craft group to knit, crochet and sew children's clothing, as well as clothing for Barbies and baby dolls that are donated or purchased from thrift stores.
One woman paints images on the cradles, while others make bedding to fit inside.
Some of them also make jewelry to fill the wooden boxes that are crafted by the men.
One woman who is visually impaired knitted 100 scarves this year.
All the materials are donated to the group or are purchased from donated funds.
This year, for example, staff at Clayburn Dental donated 150 toothbrushes, dental floss and tubes of toothpaste to be included in packages that are filled with candy and personal hygiene items. A knitted scarf is tied around each package.
These bags are distributed at Christmas, but will also be give out in January to homeless people in the community.
The entire collection of items was split up this year among six Abbotsford groups: the Food Bank and Christmas Bureau, the Salvation Army, New Beginnings, the transition house, Peardonville House, and victims' services.