Top ten ways to give back in London
As the holiday season gets underway, our
thoughts often turn to those less fortunate than
us. It can be very rewarding and fulfilling to take
time to help out with a local charity or even to
donate a gift to a toy drive, but where do you
start? Below is a list of local charities that need
your help this season. Here's your chance to give
back to the community that you live in.
Remember, it's Jesus' birthday, not yours!
1. Big Sisters of London
Big Sisters of London is looking for volunteers in December for holiday gift-wrapping at Masonville Mall. Volunteers can donate their time in three-hour shifts during mall hours on Saturdays and Sundays. All proceeds go directly to the London branch of the Big Sisters program. For more information you can contact Malorie at 519-438-7065 or email malorie@bigsisters.org.
2. The Argyle Mall Angel Tree
Argyle Mall has set up their Angel Tree again this year in an effort to collect toys for boys and girls. This unique program allows you to select the age and gender of the child you are buying for, making it a more personal, appropriate gift. You can visit the mall and select your angel during regular mall hours. Your unwrapped gift must be returned before December 22, but the earlier the better! Gifts need to be sorted and distributed to ensure that they are delivered before the big day. For more information you can contact the Argyle Mall customer service office at 519-451-5380.
3. Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is one of the largest charitable organizations in the world. Their success depends on the volunteers who generously donate their time and money to helping others. The Salvation Army runs a wide variety of programs throughout the year, but during the holiday season they focus on helping families in need. At this time of year, the Salvation Army is busy collecting items for their food hampers. Through donations, they try to supply families with small gifts for children under 12 and enough food for a Christmas dinner. The hampers traditionally include potatoes, a turkey, soup, cranberry sauce and canned vegetables. The Salvation Army is always in need of volunteers to help organize, pack and distribute the hampers. To volunteer, you must fill out a quick application form at their website www.salvationarmy.ca/volunteer/ or you can call 519-433-6106 for more information.
4. Women's Community House
The Women's Community House is a London shelter for battered women. It serves as a refuge for mothers and their children with no other place to go. Many of these families are rushed out of dangerous situations with no time to pack up their belongings, so unfortunately they arrive at their new home with just the clothes on their backs. The children that live in the shelter don't just need toys for Christmas; they require basic items for rebuilding their lives. Though the shelter does not usually open its door to volunteers, you can make a huge impact by collecting and donating items. Their website lists some items they require: women's pajamas, children's socks and underwear, outerwear (hat, mitts, coats and boots), diapers, shampoo and conditioner, hairbrushes, baby bottles, sheets and towels. Donations can be dropped off during business hours Monday through Friday at the shelter at 101 Wellington Road. For more information, you can call 519- 642-3000.
5. Toys for Tots
This popular program has been running in London for many years. The purpose is to collect new toys and funds for needy children at Christmas time. The toys are distributed to London families who have children 12 and under and can be dropped off at any i vision store (located in White Oaks, Masonville and Westmount malls or at 979 Wellington Road South in London) or the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) Museum at 750 Elizabeth Street, London. For more information you can visit their website or email toysfortotsinfo@gmail.com
6. Boys and Girls Club of London
The Boys and Girls Club provides a valuable service to our community as a centre that provides recreational programs for children and seniors. The Boys and Girls Club provides after school care, summer day camps and PD day activities for families who may not be able to afford the cost of expensive childcare. This year, the Boys and Girls Club had their participants draw up a Wish List of items they would love to have at the Club. You can help out your local Boys and Girls Club by donating one of these items. Gather some friends or coworkers together to make a Wish come true! The complete list can be found at their website at www.bgclondon.ca/wishlist.html.
7. London Food Bank
When it comes to helping out people in need this season, you can't go wrong in donating your time or money to the London Food Bank. Every year more and more people in London find themselves needing a little extra help with getting enough to eat each month. The holiday season is very busy at the Food Bank. Volunteers are always needed to help in sorting and distributing the donations. You can contact the London Food Bank at 519-659-4045 for information on volunteering. Or, you can visit the Food Bank at 926 Leathorne Street to drop off your donation.
8. Treasures of Hope
White Oaks Mall and the Children's Aid Society have teamed up this year for an online auction. The ‘Treasures of Hope' online auction allows you to bid on various gift card packages that not only solve your holiday shopping challenges, but also gives hope to a child in our community. All proceeds go directly to the Children's Aid Society of London and Middlesex. To bid on an item you can visit the White Oaks Mall website at www.whiteoaksmall.ca or call 519-681-0434 for more details.
9. Christmas Kettles
The Salvation Army needs volunteers to assist with their annual Christmas Kettle program from November 21 to December 24. Church groups, companies, families and students are welcome to sign up and help out. Grab a group of friends and do something special this season! For more information, contact Deb Dicker at 519-873-2987 or email deb_dicker@can.salvationarmy.org
10. London Humane Society
The London Humane Society works year-round to provide shelter and care for abandoned and abused animals. At Christmas, they raise money by selling handmade pets accessories and toys in booths around London. They are always looking for people to assist in running their craft booths, but are always looking for generous pet lovers who are able to donate time to the animals as well. The animals in the shelter require walking, grooming and tons of love and attention! You must be 18 years or older and complete an application, but the rewards can be tremendous! Call Joanne Tremblay for more information at 519- 451-0630 ext 222.
Giving Around The Globe
If you're looking to donate your time or money on a broader scale and help people outside of the London area, here are two very easy and effective ways that you can make a difference around the world.
The Salvation Army is at work in 115 countries worldwide. They are committed to empowering people and giving support, finance and resources to those who need it most. You can give a ‘Gift of Hope' this Christmas that will make a big difference in the lives of vulnerable people. There are many gifts to choose from, but here are just a few examples of what a small amount of money can do for a family in need.
- $40.00 will provide a family with a goat and an earning opportunity
- $40.00 will ensure that a child has the basic material for a year of schooling
- $12.00 will purchase protection from malaria
- $30.00 will provide a family with safe, clean water for life
Visit www.salvationarmy.ca and download the ‘Gifts of Hope' catalogue for more information. One of the easiest and quickest ways that you can make a difference today is to involve yourself in “Charitable Clicking.” There are dozens of websites out there that donate up to 100 per cent of their advertising profits to charities each time you use their site.
Two of the best are www.searchkindly.org (which is powered by Google) and www.goodsearch.com which is powered by Yahoo!). Both of these sites work the same as a regular search engine, but you're helping out a charity with each click! Make one of these sites your home page today and you're already making a difference.
1. Big Sisters of London
Big Sisters of London is looking for volunteers in December for holiday gift-wrapping at Masonville Mall. Volunteers can donate their time in three-hour shifts during mall hours on Saturdays and Sundays. All proceeds go directly to the London branch of the Big Sisters program. For more information you can contact Malorie at 519-438-7065 or email malorie@bigsisters.org.
2. The Argyle Mall Angel Tree
Argyle Mall has set up their Angel Tree again this year in an effort to collect toys for boys and girls. This unique program allows you to select the age and gender of the child you are buying for, making it a more personal, appropriate gift. You can visit the mall and select your angel during regular mall hours. Your unwrapped gift must be returned before December 22, but the earlier the better! Gifts need to be sorted and distributed to ensure that they are delivered before the big day. For more information you can contact the Argyle Mall customer service office at 519-451-5380.
3. Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is one of the largest charitable organizations in the world. Their success depends on the volunteers who generously donate their time and money to helping others. The Salvation Army runs a wide variety of programs throughout the year, but during the holiday season they focus on helping families in need. At this time of year, the Salvation Army is busy collecting items for their food hampers. Through donations, they try to supply families with small gifts for children under 12 and enough food for a Christmas dinner. The hampers traditionally include potatoes, a turkey, soup, cranberry sauce and canned vegetables. The Salvation Army is always in need of volunteers to help organize, pack and distribute the hampers. To volunteer, you must fill out a quick application form at their website www.salvationarmy.ca/volunteer/ or you can call 519-433-6106 for more information.
4. Women's Community House
The Women's Community House is a London shelter for battered women. It serves as a refuge for mothers and their children with no other place to go. Many of these families are rushed out of dangerous situations with no time to pack up their belongings, so unfortunately they arrive at their new home with just the clothes on their backs. The children that live in the shelter don't just need toys for Christmas; they require basic items for rebuilding their lives. Though the shelter does not usually open its door to volunteers, you can make a huge impact by collecting and donating items. Their website lists some items they require: women's pajamas, children's socks and underwear, outerwear (hat, mitts, coats and boots), diapers, shampoo and conditioner, hairbrushes, baby bottles, sheets and towels. Donations can be dropped off during business hours Monday through Friday at the shelter at 101 Wellington Road. For more information, you can call 519- 642-3000.
5. Toys for Tots
This popular program has been running in London for many years. The purpose is to collect new toys and funds for needy children at Christmas time. The toys are distributed to London families who have children 12 and under and can be dropped off at any i vision store (located in White Oaks, Masonville and Westmount malls or at 979 Wellington Road South in London) or the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) Museum at 750 Elizabeth Street, London. For more information you can visit their website or email toysfortotsinfo@gmail.com
6. Boys and Girls Club of London
The Boys and Girls Club provides a valuable service to our community as a centre that provides recreational programs for children and seniors. The Boys and Girls Club provides after school care, summer day camps and PD day activities for families who may not be able to afford the cost of expensive childcare. This year, the Boys and Girls Club had their participants draw up a Wish List of items they would love to have at the Club. You can help out your local Boys and Girls Club by donating one of these items. Gather some friends or coworkers together to make a Wish come true! The complete list can be found at their website at www.bgclondon.ca/wishlist.html.
7. London Food Bank
When it comes to helping out people in need this season, you can't go wrong in donating your time or money to the London Food Bank. Every year more and more people in London find themselves needing a little extra help with getting enough to eat each month. The holiday season is very busy at the Food Bank. Volunteers are always needed to help in sorting and distributing the donations. You can contact the London Food Bank at 519-659-4045 for information on volunteering. Or, you can visit the Food Bank at 926 Leathorne Street to drop off your donation.
8. Treasures of Hope
White Oaks Mall and the Children's Aid Society have teamed up this year for an online auction. The ‘Treasures of Hope' online auction allows you to bid on various gift card packages that not only solve your holiday shopping challenges, but also gives hope to a child in our community. All proceeds go directly to the Children's Aid Society of London and Middlesex. To bid on an item you can visit the White Oaks Mall website at www.whiteoaksmall.ca or call 519-681-0434 for more details.
9. Christmas Kettles
The Salvation Army needs volunteers to assist with their annual Christmas Kettle program from November 21 to December 24. Church groups, companies, families and students are welcome to sign up and help out. Grab a group of friends and do something special this season! For more information, contact Deb Dicker at 519-873-2987 or email deb_dicker@can.salvationarmy.org
10. London Humane Society
The London Humane Society works year-round to provide shelter and care for abandoned and abused animals. At Christmas, they raise money by selling handmade pets accessories and toys in booths around London. They are always looking for people to assist in running their craft booths, but are always looking for generous pet lovers who are able to donate time to the animals as well. The animals in the shelter require walking, grooming and tons of love and attention! You must be 18 years or older and complete an application, but the rewards can be tremendous! Call Joanne Tremblay for more information at 519- 451-0630 ext 222.
Giving Around The Globe
If you're looking to donate your time or money on a broader scale and help people outside of the London area, here are two very easy and effective ways that you can make a difference around the world.
The Salvation Army is at work in 115 countries worldwide. They are committed to empowering people and giving support, finance and resources to those who need it most. You can give a ‘Gift of Hope' this Christmas that will make a big difference in the lives of vulnerable people. There are many gifts to choose from, but here are just a few examples of what a small amount of money can do for a family in need.
- $40.00 will provide a family with a goat and an earning opportunity
- $40.00 will ensure that a child has the basic material for a year of schooling
- $12.00 will purchase protection from malaria
- $30.00 will provide a family with safe, clean water for life
Visit www.salvationarmy.ca and download the ‘Gifts of Hope' catalogue for more information. One of the easiest and quickest ways that you can make a difference today is to involve yourself in “Charitable Clicking.” There are dozens of websites out there that donate up to 100 per cent of their advertising profits to charities each time you use their site.
Two of the best are www.searchkindly.org (which is powered by Google) and www.goodsearch.com which is powered by Yahoo!). Both of these sites work the same as a regular search engine, but you're helping out a charity with each click! Make one of these sites your home page today and you're already making a difference.
