Twelve Ways of Giving
T’is the season of giving and goodwill. As bright and cheery the holiday season is, it can also be a sombre time for members of our community who are isolated physically and socially, especially seniors. What can you do if you need help or want to help? We made a list of community groups and charities in Ontario that go out of their way to raise spirits and share the gift of kindness. Click on the programs below for more information.
- Be a Santa to a Senior Home Instead Senior Care (throughout the province) partners with local non-profit and community organizations to identify seniors who might not otherwise receive gifts this holiday season. The company then works with local businesses and retail stores to help facilitate the purchase and distribution of gifts by placing trees and ornaments within their various locations.
- The Caring and Sharing Exchange: Christmas Exchange program (Ottawa) provides those in need with food hampers or much-needed redeemable gift certificates during the holiday season.
- Christmas Bureau (Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge area) not only distributes Christmas hampers (click here to sign up) but is also looking for volunteers (click here to help).
- Food Banks Canada Holiday Food Drive (throughout the province) collects non-perishable food and toiletry items at participating Loblaw grocery stores.
- Meals on Wheels Ontario (throughout the province)
- The Scott Mission (Toronto) provides meals and shelter to those in need.
- Mission Services of Hamilton, Christmas Care program offers Christmas hampers, a gift room, Sponsor-a-Family, and holiday meals.
- The Ottawa Mission provides meals and shelter to those in need.
- Salvation Army From food hampers to helping put toys and clothes under the tree, The Salvation Army is providing practical assistance to those in need this Christmas. Families and individuals may register for holiday assistance by completing an application process, which usually starts during October or November, at their local Salvation Army.
- Seniors’ Santa and Adopt-a-Senior programs This non-profit organization’s mission is to make sure no senior in its local long care term facilities/homes/centres/senior services, assisted living, etc are forgotten during the holidays.
- Senior Wish Association, Christmas Wish program (Barrie, Ontario)
- The Shoebox Program for Women (throughout the province) is reducing the feelings of isolation and loneliness faced by women who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness during the holiday season. A small gesture like making and donating a gift in the form of a Shoebox is a way for you to help make a loving difference in the lives of these women.
There are other ways to give directly this holiday season that will brighten up someone’s day (from the Toronto Star):
- Ask a neighbour if you can help with chores or errands.
- Invite an elderly neighbour or a newcomer and their family to your holiday dinner, movie night or celebration.
- Drop off thank you cards for staff at non-profits or community centres in your neighbourhood.
- Take blankets, pet food or toys to an animal shelter.
- Pay it forward: Buy someone else a coffee or warm drink anonymously.
- Host a fundraising event, such as an office holiday sweater day, for the cause of your choice.
- Visit with elderly members of the community by connecting with a seniors’ residence in your area.
- Donate blood.
- Organize a coat and winter clothing drive and donate items to a local shelter
- Make a care kit for the homeless with items such as socks, deodorant, mittens and snacks. Give them out directly or donate them to one of the organizations on the City of Toronto’s Holiday Wish List.
What’s on your holiday wish list? Tell us about your favourite charity or favourite way to give.
Wheelchair in Motion wishes you comfort and joy this holiday season as you embrace the Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa, with family and friends.
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