'Tis the Season of Giving: Places to Donate to this Holiday Season 

The holiday season is a season of giving. The warmth that thoughtful presents and holiday greetings can bring is something that no one should miss out on. However, not only do many people within our community of Toronto and across Canada lack the money to buy presents and cards, many struggle with access to basic necessities, shelter, and community connection due to poverty and abuse. The issues that many encounter daily are exacerbated during this time of year, where many businesses, a lot of which sell necessities, are closed for the holidays. 

Students at the York School, who have been taught to “Take a Stand, Lend a Hand”, have risen up to the challenge through their contributions to the New Circles Clothing Drive and Crafts for Care. There is no reason that being away from school should impede on the generosity and initiative of York students. Below are some places to donate to during the holiday season so that we can support our local community throughout the winter break. 

1. Holiday Helpers 

Children, no matter what financial situation they are in, should get to experience the joy of receiving presents; however, low-income families often struggle with giving their children presents for the holidays, because it often comes at the expense of affording their necessities. Holiday Helpers finds a solution to this problem through their family sponsorship system, where strangers with money to donate can purchase items on the wish list of a family in the GTA or Hamilton and drop them off at a designated centre to be given to the family. Direct monetary donations are also allowed, and received through the website; volunteering is also an option to help. Grocery gift cards, winter appliances, and warm clothing are also included in the donation kits. The organization’s goal of bringing “Christmas joy to families in need with young children.” cannot be accomplished without the help of a community’s involvement - and that community includes The York School. 

For more information, go to: https://holidayhelpers.org/ 

2. Stay Gold

Though the holiday season is supposed to be a time that brings families and communities together, many seniors are isolated, living in care homes or generally because of the distance between them and their very busy families. Stay Gold sends handmade cards of contributors to seniors in care homes in Ontario’s Windsor-Essex area, as well as care packages - made either by the contributors themselves, or through the help of donations that go to buying their contents. The cards can be mailed to their P.O. box, found on the website, while monetary donations can be made online and care packages delivered through mail, or directly in person. The experience that York students have gained with writing cards through the Crafts for Care initiative will be very helpful in spreading holiday cheer in a creative way.

For more information, go to: https://staygoldsociety.org/ 

3. The Shoebox Project 

The Shoebox Project allows donors to contribute to homeless women all across Canada, the United States, and the U.K. from the comfort of one’s own home. One can craft a care package for a recipient using the website, which allows the recipient to select what they would like to give them from a series of hygiene essentials, warm accessories, gift cards, and cosmetics. At the end, the donor “gives” the gift through paying for the items selected; the items are then purchased by The Shoebox Project and given to the recipient. The website also allows for direct monetary donations. The gifts from The Shoebox Project are not only practical for both the donor and recipient, but they also provide encouragement and hope in the midst of misfortune. 

For more information, go to: https://shoeboxproject.webflow.io/virtual/ca-en/home 

4. ernestine's

Ernestine’s provides shelter and support systems for women and children experiencing domestic violence and abuse. Contributors are encouraged to run their own fundraising campaigns to collect goods that women who are fleeing abuse and violence require in large quantities, such as clothing, kitchen utensils, hygiene supplies, and technology. Families currently staying at the shelters can be sponsored through helping them purchase what is on their wish lists. Monetary donations can also be given through the website of Ernestine’s. When the immediate “family” fails the most vulnerable members of our community, or are the ones to harm them to begin with, it is up to the community to step up.

For more information, go to: https://ernestines.ca/how-to-help/donations/holiday-giving/ 

5. Sanctuary

A shelter for the homeless and marginally housed, Sanctuary is as in need of the support of donors from around Toronto during the winter season as it is all year round. During the cold winter season, Sanctuary seeks winter supplies - coats, hats, gloves, and more - for its recipients, along with other needs like cellphones, backpacks, and tents; the specific list can be found under “get involved” on its website. Monetary donations are also encouraged, being the main source of funding that Sanctuary operates with. Volunteering and advocacy are also helpful in furthering the objectives of Sanctuary, which seeks to empower the marginalized through giving them opportunities and connections with others. As a privileged school community, this is our opportunity to help the less fortunate in our community in a way that recognizes their dignity.

For more information, go to: https://www.sanctuarytoronto.org/visit 

Although we may be leaving the York School for this winter break, the spirit of community service should not leave us. Consider giving to a good cause this holiday season. 

For more places to donate to within Toronto, go to Toronto.ca, Local Love, and Now Toronto. 

For more places to donate to within Canada, go to Canada Helps.