The holiday season always gives our family a time of joy. But over the last few years we’ve realized that not everyone feels the same. It can be a time of hardship for many families across the country. I’m sure you can picture your kids being bombarded with the TV ads on the latest toys and they come home saying “Jenny is getting the new game from her parents…I want that too!”.
Well, while some people can afford to get what’s on their kid’s wish list…many cannot. They would love to, but simply cannot.
Take the time this season to consider those in need..because their kids are just like yours and mine. They watch the same shows. They go to school with all the peer pressure and wants.
Want to help? Here are a few ideas to make the giving the gift (and if you’re child is a bit older, you can get them to help out as well).
Holiday Helpers of Canada provides Christmas packages to low income families. Many families are single-parent households, some are new to Canada and all are involved with subsidized agencies for daycare or other family aid. The parents are all motivated to make a positive difference in their children’s lives. Holiday Helpers is a volunteer-based not-profit organization that provides Christmas packages. Each package includes a gift certificate to a local grocery store for a warm meal, personalized gifts from the family’s wish list, including warm jackets, clothing, household items and toys, and artificial Christmas tree complete with decor.
Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada provides opportunities to help out with the logistics of granting a “bigger wish” in their Catalogue of Wishes. Each wish created is catered to the child’s request however the there are some details that can make the wish even more special. For example the a child who spends a lot of time in hospital rooms or at home could have a chance for a short overnight stay in a hotel for a change or even having a special stuffed toy to hold during late night treatments. Or give the gift of an afternoon at the local museum or event. All items in the catalogue help to “build wishes”. Go to their website and check out Darcy Lee’s video clip. He is incredibly brave and inspiring!
World Vision World of Change Giving Cards a gift you can give to a person you would like to honour. The recipient can choose to redeem gifts from the catalogue to help children and families in need around the world. It’s also a great way to engage your child too. You can have your child “shop the catalogue” to gift something special for a child living in poverty stricken areas including items like sports balls, school supplies and music but also needs like warm blankets, emergency water and relief.
There are great opportunities to give what you can throughout the holiday season. Last year moms in my the neighbourhood got together for an afternoon with home baked goodies. We approached a local school in need and asked the Principal what was on his wish list for the students. At his request, we collected 50 NEW soccer balls and basketballs for this school.
Other similar gatherings occur throughout the country including the annual Toy Tea in Toronto which started with a group of friends creating a social event with everyone donating new toys to children’s charities and women’s shelters. Today, this has become one of the most anticipated “giving events” of the season in this city. It’s amazing what a group of moms can do!
Know of any other charities? Feel free to post them here and hopefully inspire others!
I give some things to Toy Mountain, and this year, I’m also planning to drop a box of books at the book bank in Toronto, as well.
Also, in self-serving donations, my dad wants a “no-stuff” xmas, so I donated in his name to my library! heh.
I give a toy to the CHUM City Christmas wish for a child that is the same age as my daughter that year. It makes me happy to know that someone else is enjoying something that we have given them.
We also have family in Jamaica, so we send them a bunch of stuff (including clothes & gifts for my nephews) to help them out too.