Join us for City Dream Centre’s annual Back‑to‑School Event—a free community celebration providing backpacks with a supply kit, and essential supports for children in need across Surrey. With games, a free pop-up clothing store, and lunch, this family‑friendly event brings hope, dignity, and value to students getting ready for the new school year.
Cost: Free (kids activities, backpacks, lunch, supplies, and more are all provided free of charge thanks to our donors and community supporters)
Please note:
No registration is required.
Backpacks will only be provided to children that are present at the event.
Saving places in the line is not permitted.
Volunteer for Back to School
If you are available to volunteer, we would love to have you join us! Please email debbie@citydreamcentre.com to let us know what you’d like to sign up for.
Pre-Event Roles
Loading up the Truck
August 14 at 9am - 11am
Location: CDC Warehouse, 15030 66A Ave, Surrey, BC V3S 2A5
Event Day Volunteer Opportunities - August 15, 2026
All roles take place at our new Back-to-School location: Lena Shaw Elementary School (14250 100 A Avenue, Surrey BC)
Shift times vary slightly, but most roles run between 7:30AM - 2:00PM.
Load in and Setup
7:30am - 10am
Guest Check in
7:30am - 2pm
Backpack Distribution
7:30 - 2pm
Pop-up Clothing Shop (Set up & Host)
7:30am - 2pm
Snacks/Lunch Distribution
7:30 - 2pm
Off-site Hot Dog Cooking Team
7:30am - 2pm
We are in need of a small committed team who can meet at an off-site kitchen in Surrey to help cook around 2,000 hot dog wieners.
Hamper Distribution
7:30am - 2pm
Kids Zone - Games/Bounce Castle
7:30 - 2pm
Dino Costume Mascot
7:30am - 2pm
Face Painting
7:30am - 2pm
Hairdressers and Barbers
9am - 2pm
This area is our hardest to fill. If you know of any hairdressers or barbers that are willing to volunteer, please connect them to us.
Haircuts Admin Support
8am - 2pm
Translators
7:30am - 2pm
We’re currently looking for Arabic, Farsi, Punjabi, and Russian translators.
Safety Team (First Aid)
7:30am - 2pm
Security
7:30am - 2pm
Parking
7:30am - 2pm
Popcorn
7:30am - 2pm
Balloons (Decor & Balloon Twisting)
7:30am - 2pm
Tear Down Team
1:30pm - 3pm
Whether you can give a few hours or a whole day—there’s a spot for you on the team.
Plan to arrive on time for your scheduled start time so you can be there for our morning team meeting.
Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers who make everything possible! Looking forward to seeing you on August 15th! Please email debbie@citydreamcentre.com to let us know what you’d like to sign up for.