The holidays can be a busy time filled with family, food and abundance. However, for many this year, it is a time of stress and anxiety. They can’t afford gifts for their kids, or food on their table (let alone a turkey dinner). What a better way to truly experience the magic of Christmas than by giving back to those who may be struggling through the season so that they, too, can experience the joy of the season? T’is the season for giving!

Here are 3 local charities that you can help give back to this season:

Gillian’s Place

Gillian’s Place has several different programs in place to help you give back this year.

Adopt a Family

Become Star of Hope for women and children this season.

You can help in 3 easy steps:
1. Choose the size of the family you’d like to support.
2. Make your donation securely online, or mail to Gillian’s Place.
3. That’s it! We will notify the mother of the family you support, so that she will be able to head into the holiday season with joy and peace, for herself and her children.

Corporate Tree Tags

Your business can support Gillian’s Place by displaying tree tags this holiday season. The tags will contain the gender and age of a child being helped by Gillian’s Place. Encourage your employees and/or customers to take a tree tag and purchase a gift card for that child, then drop off your gift cards with the attached tree tags.

Holiday Drives

Host a holiday drive for the clients of Gillian’s Place in your business, family, or community organization. Drives are a great way to collect items continuously needed by the clients of Gillian’s Place. These include pajamas, housecoats, slippers, household cleaning products, non-perishable food, and gift certificates.

More information on how to register for these programs here: https://gilliansplace.com/holiday-programs 

Project Share

Their most needed donations for their Christmas Program are:

GIFT CARDS (Grocery stores, local retailers – especially those suitable for teenagers)
Large size hats, mittens, scarves & gloves, especially for young teenage boys
LOL dolls, Lego, skateboards, youth clothing
Financial donations to purchase grocery cards, which can be made online here

Donations can be brought to Project Share for contactless, curbside drop-off Mon-Fri between 8:30AM-4:30PM at their rear warehouse door located at 4129 Stanley Ave, Niagara Falls.

http://www.projectshare.ca/christmas-program 

Community Cares

This year their emphasis is on gift cards/vouchers for both teens and seniors. Gift cards require minimal handling and storage. In addition to keeping everyone as safe as possible they are confident that recipients will enjoy the choice that a gift card provides.

Suggestions for Gift Cards ;
Toys/Fast Food Chains/Electronics/Personal Care/Reading/Music

from Vendors such as;
Tim Hortons/McDonalds/Wal-Mart/Best Buy /Chapters/Old Navy/Pen Centre/Shoppers Drug Mart/Dollar Stores

Your participation in the Adopt a Teen or Senior angel program ensures that everyone can be touched by the magic of the season.

For more information: https://www.communitycarestca.ca/adopt-an-angel-teen-or-senior