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United Way Golden Horseshoe (UWGH) is calling on community members to help make the holidays brighter for hundreds of local families.
The annual Holiday Helping Hand program aims to bring together individuals, families, businesses and community groups to support people across Halton, Hamilton, and Niagara who are facing financial challenges during the holiday season.
With the rising cost of groceries, housing and everyday essentials, many households are finding it increasingly difficult to afford holiday traditions and celebrations. Through its funded agency partners, UWGH has identified 236 local families, representing 775 individuals, who could use additional support this year. The goal is to ensure every family is adopted.
There are several ways for community members to get involved, including:
- Adopt a Family (Halton and Hamilton) – Participants can help a local family celebrate by providing gifts for children and grocery gift cards for a holiday meal. Families can be selected based on an individual’s available budget, with wish lists and additional details provided upon registration.
- Host a Gift Drive – Friends, colleagues, schools and community groups can organize collections of new toys, stocking stuffers, gift cards and other requested items.
- Build Kits – Community members can assemble care packages, including Baby Supply Kits, Household Basics Kits, Period Promise Kits, hygiene kits, senior care kits and holiday stockings.
- Volunteer – Hands-on opportunities are available through local community agencies, including sorting donations, wrapping gifts, preparing holiday activities and assisting with other seasonal initiatives.
“The holidays have a way of reminding us how much it means to feel loved, remembered and cared for,” said Brad Park, President & CEO, United Way Golden Horseshoe. “But I also think about the parents who are quietly worrying about how they’ll afford a holiday meal, or the families doing everything they can just to keep up with everyday expenses. No one wants to feel like they’ve let their family down, especially at this time of year. Holiday Helping Hand is about showing our neighbours that they’re not alone. Sometimes something as simple as a thoughtful gift, a warm meal or knowing someone is thinking of you can mean more than we realize.”
Registration for Holiday Helping Hand is open until midnight on Friday, December 4th. Registered participants must deliver their gifts and donations to the UWGH Donation Warehouse in Burlington on December 7th or December 8th, between 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Participants will receive a confirmation email with warehouse location details, requested donation items, and a link to schedule their drop-off time. Advance scheduling is required.
All donated gifts must be new and unwrapped. Those purchasing items online are asked to have their orders shipped to their home or workplace before bringing them to the designated warehouse. Donations cannot be shipped directly to United Way warehouses.
Those donating gift cards are also asked to attach the original purchase receipt to each card to help prevent fraud and ensure donations reach their intended recipients.
The program provides an opportunity for workplaces, schools, families, and community groups to work together in support of their neighbours, with all gifts and donations remaining local and supporting participating community agencies and programs.
“One of the things I love most about this program is seeing the care that people put into helping someone they may never meet,” adds Park. “It’s a beautiful reminder of the kind of communities we live in. When we come together with compassion and generosity, we can make the holiday season feel a little warmer and a little more hopeful for someone who really needs it.”
Community members interested in participating, exploring available opportunities or registering for the program can click here.
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