To list an event hosted or sponsored by a non-profit group in Abbotsford or Mission, upload it to our website: abbotsfordtimes.com, e-mail a succinct description of the event to events@abbotsfordtimes.com, or drop off at 30887 Peardonville Rd, Abbotsford.

Santa in the Park Santa Claus will be at Fraser River Heritage Park in Mission Dec. 9 from 2 - 4 p.m. for his annual Santa in the Park visit. He arrives in a fire truck and will chat with individual children and pose for photos. Kids can also enjoy some cocoa while they wait. See www.heritagepark-mission.ca.

Thomas Swift craft sale Dec. 7, from 5: 30 - 8: 30 p.m. Dr. Thomas Swift Elementary hosts its 16th annual Christmas craft fair, with 20 vendors, a raffle, bake sale and cake walk.

Proceeds go to their playground fund. Swift Elementary is at 34800 Mierau St., Abbotsford. 604-853-7730.

Santa Paws pictures Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., get photos of your pet with Santa, at Homestead Nurs-eryland, 31888 Marshall Rd., Abbotsford. Minimum $5, all proceeds go to Elizabeth's Wildlife Centre.

Pancake breakfast Dec. 8, enjoy a pancake breakfast from 9 - 10: 30 a.m. at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, 8469 Cedar St., Mission. Cost is by donation.

Gingerbread house décor Dec. 8 from 2: 30 - 4 p.m., learn to make and decorate a gingerbread house, for ages 12-18. To register, drop by Mission Library, 33247 Second Ave., or phone 604826-6610.

Humanitarian fundraiser Dec. 8 there is a fundraiser for Stacy Richard for an 11-country humanitarian mission, 7 p.m., Jubilee Hall, 7989 Bradner Rd., Abbotsford. Live music. Buy tickets $15 in advance at www.brownpapertickets. com/event/295411, call Stacy at 778-908-8691 or Lynda 778-908-8690 for details.

Autism support party Dec. 8 from noon to 3 p.m., the Fraser Valley Autism Society has an AGM and a Christmas party for families dealing with autism, at 105-32868 Ventura Ave., Abbotsford. See www.fraservalleyautism.com.

A Straiton Christmas Dec. 9 from 2 - 4: 30 p.m., enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas party at Straiton Hall, 4698 Sumas Mountain Rd., Abbotsford. You are invited to join Straiton Community Club, family registration is $20 for the year, otherwise $5 per child. Party has a visit by Santa. You must be pre-registered. Call 604-852-4278.

Evening story times At the Clearbrook Library, 32320 George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford, on Mondays, until Dec. 10 from 7 - 7: 30 p.m. for children aged 2 to 6 years. Wear your PJs and bring your stuffie to this special story time. 604-8597814 ext. 229.

Scandinavian Xmas Dec. 10 the Scandinavian Club of the Fraser Valley has its annual Christmas potluck dinner at the Masonic Hall, 33860 Pine St., Abbotsford, starting at 6 p.m. with Christmas dishes, Scandinavian music, carol singing. First-time guests free, but others contribute. Call Len at 604-857-2740, Eigil at 604870-8601, or e-mail jensenke@ shaw.ca for details.

Learning Plus party Dec. 11 at 10 a.m., Learning Plus Christmas Party is open to all at Abbotsford Rec Centre, 2499 McMillan Rd. There will be music, Santa, treats and no fees. All are welcome.

FV Business Dec. 12, the Fraser Valley Business Network has lunch at 11: 15 a.m., at Cactus Club, 34650 DeLair Rd., Abbotsford. All business owners in the valley are invited. Bring a $5 gift to exchange. Be creative and include your business card with the gift. Go to www.fraservalleybusinessnetwork.com to respond.

Big puppet show Dec. 12, take in a free Christmas extravaganza puppet show with stories, songs at Mission Library, 33247 Second Ave., from 6: 45 - 7: 30 p.m. Call 604-826-6610.

West Abby school AGM Dec. 12 from 6 - 7 p.m., West Abbotsford Community School Society annual general meeting, 2990 Oriole Cres., Abbotsford at John Maclure Community School. WACSS family of schools: Bondar, Clearbrook, John Maclure, Ten-Broeck, Terry Fox, Colleen & Gordie Howe, Chief Dan George and Mouat. Members needed, call 604859-6919 to get involved with your school.

BPW Christmas do Dec. 12, the Abbotsford Business & Professional Women's chapter holds its yearly Christmas party, starting at 6 p.m. Guest speaker is Dorothy Hanneveld of the Women's Resource Society of the Fraser Valley. Unwrapped gifts will be collected for women and kids in local transition houses. RSVP at www.bpwabbotsford.ca.

Party, Santa photos Until Dec. 22 downtown Mission merchants offer a passport contest to win prizes. Also get photos with Santa Dec. 10-12, Dec. 17-21 and Dec. 15 & 22 from 1 - 5 p.m. at 33050 First Ave., Mission, plus gift basket draw, arts & craft market and more. See details at www.downtownmission.ca.

Country dancers wanted The Silver Diamond Country Dancers seek male and female dancers to line dance in parades, floorshows and fundraisers. No experience required, we will teach you. Practise Mondays at 7 p.m. at Cloverdale Legion. Call Darlene at 604-530-8307 or Diane at 604-870-1821 or see silverdiamond@shaw.ca.

MS support Mission Dec. 13 from 1 - 3 p.m., a self-help group for people with MS meets in Mission on the second Thursday of the month, at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, 8469 Cedar St., Mission. Free lunch. Call Janet at 604-826-2553.

Library Christmas Dec. 13 at 7 p.m., the public is invited to a family Christmas special at the Clear-brook Library, 32320 George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford, with stories, crafts, snacks and good fun. The whole family, young or old, is invited. Phone 604-859-7814, ext. 229 for details.

Valley Women's Network Dec. 13 from 11: 30 a.m. - 1 p.m., the Mission Valley Women's Network has its luncheon at the Royal Canadian Legion, 32627 Logan Ave., Mission. For vendor tables, pre-registration, email vwn.mission@gmail. com. Bring a $5 gift for our Christmas party game.

Seniors Xmas dance Dec. 14, from 6 p.m. on, the Abbotsford Social Activity Association, 33889 Essen-dene Ave., holds it yearly dinner and dance with live music. Tickets $25 (just until Dec. 6). Call Jodie at 604850-2465.

Intl. knitting club If you like to knit or want to learn, drop by Mission Library, 33247 Second Ave., Wednesdays noon to 1: 30 p.m. Presented in cooperation with Mission Community Services, everyone welcome. Call the library at 604-826-6610 for more information.

Volunteer at Ebenezer There are volunteer openings at Dr. Stuart Pavilion at Ebenezer Home in Abbotsford, for help with bingo, BBQ's, knitting, ladies and men's breakfast. Contact Trudy Rummel at 778880-0467 or grummel@telus. net.

Grandparent support New support group for grandparents or other family members raising grandchildren meets Mondays 6 - 8 p.m. in Abbotsford. On-site child minding. To register call 1-855-474-9777.