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Hamper Drive 2025
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About The Hamper Drive
Since the 1970s, the Annual Hamper Drive has been a significant and beloved tradition at St. George’s School. Organized by faculty, with support from students, staff, and our school community, just under 500 hampers are delivered to Vancouver families who are experiencing challenges during the holiday season. Hampers range from toys, books, gift cards, and non-perishable food items. They are designed to support families through the difficult time over the Winter Break, when many food support programs are unavailable. These hampers will be in support of the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Early Years Program, Backpack Buddies, and BC Children’s Hospital. Working with our community organizations in Vancouver, we endeavour to align the support we offer with the needs of their families.
This is a special opportunity for our school community to come together and support families across the Lower Mainland. The Hamper Drive not only allows us to contribute to a cause bigger than us but also offers our students an important learning opportunity in community service and social responsibility. At the School, we will discuss issues surrounding food scarcity, socio-economic inequality, and the evolving nature of poverty. Above all, the Hamper Drive allows us to enact St. George’s Core Values in a meaningful, tangible, and significant way.
This is a special opportunity for our school community to come together and support families across the Lower Mainland. The Hamper Drive not only allows us to contribute to a cause bigger than us but also offers our students an important learning opportunity in community service and social responsibility. At the School, we will discuss issues surrounding food scarcity, socio-economic inequality, and the evolving nature of poverty. Above all, the Hamper Drive allows us to enact St. George’s Core Values in a meaningful, tangible, and significant way.
Questions?
Contact The Hamper Drive Team:
[email protected]
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We Need Your Support
We partner with community organizations across Vancouver to ensure our support is aligned with the unique needs of the diverse families they serve. In response to the evolving world, our hampers now include gift cards to better accommodate these needs. Gift cards empower families by providing the flexibility to select items that best suit their personal preferences and circumstances, offering both respect and impactful support. To make this possible, we are especially seeking your financial contributions to help us raise $110,000 towards the purchase of these gift cards. Your support will make a meaningful difference in our Hamper Drive this year.
Over the next four weeks, a variety of events will take place at both the Junior and Senior Schools, providing all St. George’s students with the opportunity to engage with and learn from this meaningful experience. This year, we’re also excited about the return of our community events, which will offer the entire Saints community a chance to come together during the festive season in support of the Hamper Drive. For further information, please review our Hamper Drive Holiday Event Guide, the weekly eNews, and updates shared on this web page.
Finally, on Community Day, held on Sunday, December 14th in Princeps Hall at the Senior School, we will assemble hampers, wrap gifts, decorate ornaments, and write cards in preparation for delivery to our partner agencies on Monday, December 15th. To make this assembly and delivery process a success, we are seeking parent and student volunteers to lend a hand on one or both of these days.
Over the next four weeks, a variety of events will take place at both the Junior and Senior Schools, providing all St. George’s students with the opportunity to engage with and learn from this meaningful experience. This year, we’re also excited about the return of our community events, which will offer the entire Saints community a chance to come together during the festive season in support of the Hamper Drive. For further information, please review our Hamper Drive Holiday Event Guide, the weekly eNews, and updates shared on this web page.
Finally, on Community Day, held on Sunday, December 14th in Princeps Hall at the Senior School, we will assemble hampers, wrap gifts, decorate ornaments, and write cards in preparation for delivery to our partner agencies on Monday, December 15th. To make this assembly and delivery process a success, we are seeking parent and student volunteers to lend a hand on one or both of these days.
Please Make A Financial Contribution
As we enter the season of giving, we are asking the St. George’s community for their generous support of our Annual Hamper Drive. Currently, the cost of feeding a family of four in Vancouver, BC, can exceed $1,000 a month, making it challenging for many families, especially during the holiday season. We rely heavily on the generosity of our community to make this initiative a success. Your contributions, no matter the size, will help us reach our goal of providing Vancouver families with extra support during this special time of year. We issue tax receipts for all donations of $25 or more, making your generosity even more impactful. Together, we can help ensure that families throughout the Lower Mainland experience the warmth and joy of the season!
Volunteer For The Hamper Drive
We are excited to invite parents to the School to help package and assemble hampers for families experiencing challenges this holiday season! Your time and energy are essential to the success of this meaningful initiative, and together with our students, faculty, and staff, we can make a real impact across the Lower Mainland. To ensure a great experience for everyone, we’re allocating participants to various volunteer opportunities.Registrations will be reviewed to prevent duplicate sign-ups, and spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Confirmed volunteers will receive an email notification by Friday, December 5th. Volunteer opportunities are available on Sunday, December 14th and Monday, December 15th. Parents will be notified once the Volunteer Sign-Up Form is available on Friday, November 21st, via the Saints eNews. Confirmed volunteers will receive an email notification by Friday, December 5th.
Junior School Holiday Lane
Community Event
November 25
Junior School Foyer | 3:15 PM
Join us for the Junior School Holiday Lane Community Event on Tuesday, November 25th at 3:15 pm in the Junior School Front Foyer, as we gather together to launch this year’s Hamper Drive. All Junior School students (Kindergarten–Grade 7) and their families are invited to decorate a personalized ornament to add to the glowing trees along our front entrance, symbolizing the light we create when we give as a community. Each ornament and materials are provided for a $5 donation, with all proceeds supporting local families through the Hamper Drive. This joyful gathering marks the beginning of a new Junior School tradition, celebrating light, kindness, and connection that will illuminate our Junior Campus and officially launch the Hamper Drive each year during our very own Festival of Lights on Holiday Lane!
Merry Movie Monday:
The Polar Express
December 1
Princeps Hall | 5:45 PM
All aboard! Join us for our Second Annual Merry Movie Monday as we bring families together for a magical holiday evening featuring The Polar Express on Monday, December 1st in Princeps Hall. Enjoy dinner starting at 5:00 pm from La Sella Pizza. The movie begins at 5:45 pm. Popcorn and snacks will also be available for purchase at our concession.This community event is a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season with friends and family, and everyone is encouraged to join in the fun and wear their pyjamas! All ticket proceeds support the St. George’s School Hamper Drive. We appreciate advance ticket purchases; however, they will also be sold at the door for your convenience!
Event Guide
Your One-Stop Shop For This Year's Hamper Drive Events
To learn more about this year's Hamper Drive, please click the link below to read our Event Guide!
Senior School Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 28
Princeps Hall | 11:00 AM
On Friday, November 28th, the Senior School will host its Inaugural Tree Lighting Ceremony in Princeps Hall, marking the official launch of this year’s Hamper Drive on the Senior School Campus. During our whole-school Assembly from 11:00–11:30 am, Mr. Gurr will unveil our community tree, which will serve as a festive centrepiece throughout the Hamper Drive Campaign. Following the ceremony, Senior School students will have the opportunity to add their own touch of creativity by designing and hanging personalized ornaments. An ornament-making station will be set up in Princeps Hall, complete with all the necessary materials and design inspiration for boys to either follow one of the displayed templates or create a unique piece of their own. As the Hamper Drive progresses, the tree will gradually come to life, filled with ornaments that reflect the spirit, generosity, and creativity of our St. George’s community, just in time for our Community Assembly Day on Sunday, December 14th! This event marks the beginning of a new and joyful tradition at the Senior School — one that celebrates togetherness, creativity, and the shared purpose behind our Annual Hamper Drive.
Community & Delivery Day
December 14 & 15
Princeps Hall
Families are invited to join us in helping package and assemble hampers for families experiencing challenges this holiday season. Volunteer opportunities are available on Sunday, December 14th and Monday, December 15th, with registration on a first-come, first-served basis. Confirmed volunteers will receive a confirmation email by Friday, December 5th.Please stay tuned to the eNews for the official registration link.
Community Coffee Drive-Thru
December 15
Original Senior School Driveway | 9:00–11:00 AM
As a new addition this year, we are excited to introduce our Community Coffee Drive-Thru on Monday, December 15th from 9:00–11:00 am via the Driveway of the Original Senior School. The Hamper Drive Team will be serving warm cups of gratitude, literally, to the incredible delivery drivers. This small gesture is our way of saying thank you to those working behind the scenes to deliver joy to families across the Lower Mainland.
Purdy's Season Of Sweetness
Pick Up Your Chocolates On December 10
Thank you to everyone who supported our Purdy’s Chocolates Fundraiser this year! Because of our community’s incredible generosity, we sold over $13,000 in chocolate, unlocking the maximum donation percentage for the Hamper Drive. What a sweet success! Orders will be ready for pick-up on Wednesday, December 10th at 3:15 pm at both the Junior School and Senior School Campuses.Pick-Up Information:
Orders will be ready for pick-up on Wednesday, December 10th at 3:15 pm at both the Junior School and Senior School Campuses.
Junior School pick-up will take place in the Front Foyer, with orders organized by grade. Families with siblings will find their entire order under the youngest sibling's grade for easy collection.
Senior School pick-up will take place in front of the Old Senior School Building. All orders will be organized by Order # and the name associated with the purchase. Please have this information handy when you pick up your chocolate.
A Taste Of Winter
January 30
Terminal City Club
Experience an unforgettable evening with the return of A Taste of Winter, an exclusive private dinner hosted by Ms. Karyn Roberts, Junior School Principal, and Mr. Len Gurr, Senior School Principal, at the prestigious Terminal City Club on Friday, January 30, 2026. This extraordinary experience invites one Junior School parent and one guest, and one Senior School parent and one guest, to share an elegant evening of fine dining and community connection in the Dr. Ignatius Cheung Room.This incredible package includes:
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An exclusive and memorable culinary dining experience featuring a seasonal gourmet dinner prepared by top local chefs. |
| ★ | A guided wine tasting with Celebrity Sommelier DJ Kearney, a global wine expert and sought-after wine personality. |
| ★ | Plus, enjoy engaging conversations with our school leaders as well as a fellow parent, who is generously sponsoring this evening, and their guest. |
Don't miss your chance to bid on this amazing evening! Join the excitement, submit your best bid, and help support our Annual Hamper Drive. The minimum bid is $2,000, with the auction opening on November 18th and closing on December 2nd.
Please note this experience is exclusive to Saints community members (current parents and alumni) and is not eligible for a tax receipt. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and support!
Game On For Good:
January 17
Take Part In Our Iconic Vancouver Canucks Auction Extravaganza!
This year, as part of our Annual Hamper Drive, we’re excited to present an amazing opportunity to score a spectacular prize while supporting a fantastic cause!Experience the thrill of an exhilarating Hockey Night in Canada with Four Club-Level Tickets to an electrifying Canucks Home Game vs. the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, January 17th, a marquee Black Skate Jersey Night in Rogers Arena! This matchup is part of the team’s Rivalry Nights and is one of the most highly demanded, high-energy home games of the season, providing the perfect setting to see the Canucks take the ice in their iconic black uniforms.
This incredible package includes:
| ★ | Club-Level Game Tickets: Four premium Club Seats (100-level with club section access*)(Value: Approximately $500–600 each). |
| ★ | An authentic, hand-signed Black Skate Variant Jersey by a Canucks player (Value: Approximately $800–1,000) |
| ★ | Plus, some additional merchandise** (Value: Approximately CAD $400) |
| ★ | Total Package Value: $3,200–3,800 |
*Club Seats Section 107, row 16, seats 103-106 include access to the club section featuring in-seat service, premium concession options, private restrooms, and flat-screen TVs. Guests also enjoy shorter lines, space to hang out, and a bar on the concourse.
Don’t miss your chance to bid on this amazing package! Join the excitement, submit your best bid, and help support our Annual Hamper Drive. The minimum bid is $3,000, with the auction opening on Tuesday, November 18th and closing on Tuesday, December 2nd.
Please note this experience is exclusive to current St. George’s families and is not eligible for a tax receipt. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and support!
2025 Partner Agencies
This year, we’re proud to partner with BC Children’s Hospital Toy Mountain, Vancouver Coastal Health Early Years, and Backpack Buddies, each of which plays a vital role in supporting children and families in our community.Backpack Buddies helps fill the “weekend hunger gap” for vulnerable children in BC. In partnership with schools, they provide take-home bags of child-focused meals and snacks each Friday so children who rely on school-based food programs during the week will have access to supplemental meals over the weekend. This organization addresses food security and aims to reduce the stress families face over the weekend, ultimately helping kids return to school on Monday ready to learn. Over 6,000 students across BC are supported each week.
Vancouver Coastal Health Early Years / Prenatal & Early Years Program supports young families through public health nursing, developmental screening, parenting resources, and early intervention services. Their work begins during pregnancy and continues into early childhood.
BC Children’s Hospital Toy Mountain is a charitable initiative that collects and distributes new toys, gifts, and comfort items to pediatric patients across British Columbia during the holiday season. These generous contributions help brighten hospital stays and bring joy to children undergoing treatment or living with health challenges. The BC Children’s Hospital Foundation is the primary charitable arm supporting the hospital’s mission to deliver world-class pediatric care, invest in research, and secure equipment and services that otherwise may not be available through government funding alone.
The History Of The Hamper Drive
By Sandi Cobb — from The Saint, Summer 2013
Like many traditions, the Hamper Drive wasn’t born fully-formed and recognizable. It has evolved over three decades. It began as a Scouts project. Scouts have been a part of St. George’s from the School’s earliest days, but during the 70s, at a time when Scouting world-wide was at a low ebb, it paradoxically grew at St. George’s under some inspired leadership to two Cub packs, a Venturer company, and a Rover group which averaged 50 boys each year, all from Grades 11 and 12. It was some of these senior boys, with Geof “Daddy” Stancombe as Scout Master, who started the neighbourhood can drives, stacking and counting several hundred cans in the old cafeteria, packing boxes, and delivering them to 15 or 20 local families. The old cafeteria overlooked the Wallace gym, where cans are still stacked and counted for the Hamper Drive, but now in thousands rather than hundreds. Some of these early deliveries were made in a Mini, on a route that could consist only of right-hand turns, due to a mechanical (or driver) idiosyncrasy that has been lost to the mists of time.
Over the 20 years that Daddy Stancombe guided the Hamper Drive, it grew from a neighbourhood can drive (continued today by the boarders of Harker Hall in their annual Reindeer Run) to the current remarkable operation that sees more than 300 families receive hampers each year. Geof’s vision was shared by John McDougall, who along with other Alumni developed a network of corporate support that added enormously to what could be achieved. Saints involvement still inspires the Hamper Drive tradition, as every year sees returning cohorts making boxes, staging, shipping, and delivering to families — always the most meaningful experience of the Hamper Drive.
Others have helped build the tradition: Saints families give generously to ensure every recipient family’s hamper is personalized with gift bags for parents, and toys, books, and gifts for the children. The combined passion and talents of Ed and Danette Mortimer ensured that the operation kept pace with Geof’s inexhaustible drive and energy; Ed’s mind-boggling organization of the production line and Danette’s compassionate management of the recipient families both involving oh-so-much-more than is ever seen on Hamper Drive day.
So with all that growth, it’s little wonder Memory Lane was commandeered as a last resort storage place (last resort because not every box always found its way down in time for Hamper Drive!) The first resort was Geof’s office, often so crammed with cans, boxes, and bags that he would have to borrow someone else’s desk and telephone to solicit donations from businesses and companies that, by the most tenuous connection, found themselves on Geof’s Hamper Drive Donors’ List — a list that was never allowed to get shorter, only longer. No company could ever claim to have “ceased trading”, no erstwhile Georgian connection “retired”; Geof would always take the opportunity to draw a new supporter into the Hamper Drive fold to fill the vacant spot, while the list got longer, the donations came in, Geof’s office overflowed. Even the portables (ah, the portables!) were filled until Saints families came again at the end of winter term to deliver it all.
Thousands of feet have shuffled behind boxes, thousands of arms have lifted, thousands of eyes have welled with tears, and thousands of hearts have been warmed in forging the Hamper Drive tradition. Long may it continue!
Junior School
Senior School
St. George’s School acknowledges that we are situated on the unceded traditional territory of the Musqueam First Nation.
Contributions to St. George's School Foundation are eligible for tax receipts as prescribed by Canadian law. St. George's School Foundation's Charitable Registration Number is: 11917-5511 RR0001.
Contributions to St. George's School Foundation are eligible for tax receipts as prescribed by Canadian law. St. George's School Foundation's Charitable Registration Number is: 11917-5511 RR0001.
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