A Christmas caroling charity event in Downtown Vancouver Monday will benefit a ministry group that serves the West End.
Freshwave Ministries serves the poor and homeless once a week using its aging bus to distribute food, clothing and blankets.
Monday's Christmas carol get together will raise money to replace the bus, explains organizer and Freshwave volunteer Tina Hoell of Ladner.
"Christmas is always a time when people seem to be in the spirit of giving so I figured this would be a good time to help them raise money for the bus," said Hoell, who is looking for people to come out and sing.
Hoell, a former member of the United Entertainers, said a few local businesses are also helping out.
Freshwave Ministries founder Carey Muir, a longtime South Delta resident who started the Richmondbased group in 2010, said the bus has been fixed a few times so far.
"It's a '77 GMC. The parts are becoming hard to find," he said.
The group has about 20 volunteers, along with co-director in Karl Hildebrandt, and can serve anywhere from 60 to 120 people any given night.
The caroling event will go from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Seymour and Davie.
Hoell said Freshwave is a registered non-profit society that can provide tax-receipts for donations of at least $50. Donations can also be made at The Repair Man in Ladner, which she owns with her husband.
For more visit www. freshwaveministries.com or call Muir at 778-686-9995.
