Update: Due to the overwhelming response for Making Spirits Bright, we have run out of boxes! However, we are still in need of grocery gift cards to support seniors who could use a little extra help this Christmas. If you’re able, gift cards can be dropped off at our office, or you can make an online donation to support low-income seniors. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

For seniors in our community who live alone, are financially challenged and don’t have any relatives nearby, the holidays can be a difficult time.

NexusBC Community Resource Centre believes it is especially important for us to let seniors know that they are cared for and not alone at Christmas.

We invite individuals, families, schools and businesses to help us in making spirits bright for local, low-income seniors this holiday season.

How You Can Participate:

Fill A Holiday Care Box

    1. Stop by our office to pick up a care box: #102-3201 30th Street, Vernon
    2. Fill it with items that a senior would appreciate, along with a grocery gift card (suggested amount: $25). We’ve prepared a list of items that a senior might find helpful: Gift Ideas For Seniors (pdf)
    3. Enclose a card with a personal message
    4. Drop the box off at NexusBC before Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Donate Grocery Gift Cards

This is a great alternative if you’re unable to fill a box, but still wish to contribute. Please drop off gift cards at NexusBC before December 9, 2025.  If you would like a charitable receipt for your gift card donation, please let us know. Please see more information below regarding gift cards.

Financial Support

It is donors like YOU that enable our most treasured community members to be cared for and supported so they can live their very best lives. Please give to our Support For Local Seniors fund. Here are the ways you can donate:  

  • Online here: https://nexusbc.ca/get-involved/donate
  • Mail a cheque to NexusBC, 102-3201 30th Street, Vernon BC V1T 9G3. Please make cheques payable to NexusBC Community Resource Centre.
  • Send an e-transfer to [email protected]. Please include your full name, middle initial, and full mailing address to receive a charitable receipt (for donations of $20 or more).

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the drop off deadline? In order to get the gift to the recipient by December 25th, we ask that you drop off the gift box by December 9th.

Where is the drop off location? Gift boxes and donations can be dropped off at NexusBC Community Resource Centre, #102 – 3201 30th Street, Vernon BC V1T 9G3 (next door to Service BC).

What size is the Care Box? The box is 12″ long x 11″ wide and 3 1/4″ high.

Why should I include a grocery gift card? When we started this campaign in 2016, it became obvious to us that seniors with lower incomes struggle with the cost of groceries. They can usually only afford the basics, and rarely can they afford fresh fruit and vegetables. A gift card valued at $25 can buy a good amount of groceries from a budget-friendly grocery store.

What stores do you recommend the gift card come from? We strongly recommend that gift cards come from the Freshco, Walmart or Superstore/Wholesale Club (President’s Choice). These are typically places that seniors can easily get to by bus or on foot. We also ask that you enclose the amount and activation receipt.

Can I include a personal card? Yes, absolutely! In fact, this campaign is as much about creating special connections than the actual gift item. We encourage personal messages.

Can I remain anonymous? This is completely up to you. We encourage you to add a personal message with your gift box; however you can choose whether or not to sign the card.

Should I wrap the gifts inside the box? We ask that you don’t wrap the gifts or the box itself.

What if I’m concerned that my gift might not fit? Please include a gift receipt with your gift item if there are concerns that something may not fit.

I know of a local senior that should be on this list to receive a Christmas gift, how can they apply? If you know someone who should be on the list, please ask them to call NexusBC at 250.545.0585

How We Help Seniors

Many seniors live alone in our community. Too often they struggle to pay the rent and heat. They can afford only basic groceries. Fresh fruit and vegetables are too expensive. Medication costs can be high. Hearing aids, dentures and eyeglasses are often completely unaffordable.

These are the seniors that we at NexusBC work hard to support.

With the assistance of some amazing volunteers, we help seniors fill out applications for benefits and subsidies, and file taxes for free so they continue to receive their benefits. We distribute hampers, gifts and coupons to those seniors in our community who need it the most. We provide rides to doctor’s appointments and to pick up groceries. We provide subsidized house cleaning and last, but certainly not least, we have a drop-in centre for information on affordable housing, transportation, counselling programs, home support and so much more.

Wishing you a bright and beautiful holiday season.

NexusBC Community Resource Centre gets several calls from seniors for snow shovelling in Vernon. This is not a service we provide, but we would like to help.

Therefore, we are building a list of contacts and would love to hear from individuals and/or businesses who are willing to shovel sidewalks and driveways at an affordable rate for seniors.

Please note that seniors who call you may ask for a copy of your criminal record check, as this is something we recommend.

Please note that since we do not provide this service, your phone number would be given to the senior directly to make snow removal arrangements.

Appointment dates TBA. Phone 250.545.0585

If you are a senior or soon-to-be a senior, doing your taxes on time is important for you to be eligible and continue to receive benefits such as the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), the Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER) and the quarterly Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit.

At NexusBC, we understand this and so we provide free basic income tax returns for lower-income seniors through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. This free service is provided by trained volunteers and operates year-round by appointment, as well as through a tax clinic during regular tax season (March and April). If you haven’t filed taxes in several years, we can file back taxes as well.

Here is what you need to know.

  • The maximum income level for this service is $35,000 for a single person, or $45,000 combined for a couple.
  • Please bring all your T-4 slips and your previous year’s tax return. This is a drop-off and pick-up service only.
  • NEW: If you are claiming the Renter’s Tax Credit, please have ready the name of your landlord/company that payment was made to, and know how many months you were a tenant at that address.

Please note that we do not prepare returns for:

  1. Deceased persons
  2. Bankrupt individuals
  3. Self-employed individuals
  4. Individuals who report capital gains or losses
  5. Individuals who report interest income of more than $1,000.
  6. Individuals who report employment expenses or business or rental income and expenses.

If you have questions or would like to book an appointment, phone 250.545.0585.