Give the gift of giving this holiday season through these 15 Hamilton organizations
When it comes to holiday shopping, everyone has that one person on their list who doesn't need anything.
Instead of funneling money you'd spend on a gift that's likely to sit on the shelf or end up in the donation pile, you could instead focus your efforts on the gift of giving to a cause close to that person's heart.
Here are 15 ways to support local organizations this holiday season - whether it be preserving trails, helping four-legged friends or giving the gift of Christmas to a community member in need.
Buy for someone in need
At St. Matthew's House, sponsors can connect with the agency who then pair them with a family and/or senior. Sponsors are then given a personalized wish list that includes their clothing size, what household needs they have, and what the kids want from Santa.
Sponsors put together a parcel for the family or senior, which also includes a grocery store gift card to help with a holiday dinner.
For more information: stmatthewshouse.ca/services-programs/adopt-a-family/
Through Ready to Care, sponsors can choose a gift tree location where they will find bulbs with a senior's requested gift. Sponsors then purchase that present and drop it off to the agency.
For more information: beasantatoasenior.ca/#getting-started
At Good Shepherd, individuals can sponsor families, seniors, single adults as well as youths during the holidays. Each category offers a wish list for the recipient(s) or the option to put forward a monetary donation to help staff fulfil the gift list.
For more information: goodshepherdcentres.ca/donate/one-time-gift/
The joy of toys
CityKidz is accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys for children aged 12 and under at their Burlington Street location until Dec. 16. Donors are asked to book a drop-off time online and to drop off their gifts as early as possible. They also welcome monetary donations.
For more information: citykidz.ca/gift-of-christmas/
CHCH is accepting toy donations at both their Innovation Drive office and at Eastgate Square Mall for their Christmas toy drive. They are also accepting monetary donations.
For more information: chch.com/toydrive/
The Children's Fund is hosting its annual Operation Santa Claus Toy Truck. New and unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Downtown Hamilton BIA office, 900 CHML and a number of Hamilton Fire Department stations until Dec. 18.
For more information: globalnews.ca/pages/toytruck/
Support those in need
Wesley is accepting both monetary contributions, non-perishable food and toy donations to help fill hampers for their annual Christmas and holiday program. Donations can be brought to the Pioneer United Church on King Street East until Dec. 23.
For more information: wesley.ca/holidays/
Mission Services is accepting financial contributions as well as food and clothing to help support vulnerable community members over the holiday season through their Christmas Care program as well as their free holiday meals.
For more information: mission-services.com/donate-today/
The Hub is accepting both financial contributions as well as other donations such as clothing, hygiene products and tents to help support unhoused individuals in the city. The centre also accepts both fresh and non-perishable food items.
For more information: thehamiltonhub.org/take-action
The 541 Eatery and Exchange is looking for donations to support its button jar program, which helps community members purchase drinks or meals from the Barton Street East cafe.
For more information: fivefortyone.ca
Help a furry friend
The Hamilton-Burlington SPCA is always accepting monetary donations or gifts from their wish list. The animal shelter needs items such as cat food, hay bedding, laundry detergent, garbage bags and dog treats.
For more information: hbspca.com/donate/
Triple C Farm, a livestock sanctuary and petting farm in Ancaster, is accepting gifts. The organization welcomes monetary donations and they also have an option for people to buy goat feed, horse blankets and heat lamps for the animals.
For more information: triplecfarm.ca/
Lady Bird Animal Sanctuary, which helps rescue cats, dogs and small animals in the region, is accepting donations this holiday season.
For more information: ladybirdanimalsanctuary.com/
The gift of green
The Bruce Trail Conservancy is accepting monetary donations to help conserve the Niagara Escarpment landscape. Right now, all donations are being matched with the help of a grant from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
For more information: brucetrail.org/
The Royal Botanical Gardens is accepting donations to help support programming and the organization's conservation efforts, such as the protection of turtles and other at-risk species that call the lands home.
For more information: rbg.ca/donate/
Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com