Donations, volunteers needed as Centre 55’s Share A Christmas Program enters final stage
By AMARACHI AMADIKE
Centre 55’s 43rd annual Share A Christmas Program is in full swing.
With the help of neighbourhood residents, local organizations, schools and various community groups, the program has once again found it possible to provide Christmas joy to families that would have otherwise been unable to participate in this year’s festivities.
“Year after year the demand gets bigger and bigger, but somehow we’re able to meet that demand year in and year out,” said Centre 55 Executive Director Reza Khoshdel. “And that’s not possible without all the help and support we get from people in the community.
Last Christmas, Khoshdel told Beach Metro Community News that the program saw a 30 per cent increase in participants from the previous year as Centre 55 provided assistance to more than 5,300 people.
With the city still feeling economic tremors, he said that this year has seen a similar increase.
“The need this year is even greater than last,” said Khoshdel. “We need all the support that we can get.”
Along with a need for volunteer help, Centre 55 is seeking monetary donations that will go towards gift cards and toys for participating families.
“Any way people can lend a helping hand is greatly appreciated,” said Khoshdel. “The vast majority of people in our program are getting those gift cards, so everything that we raise is going towards those gift cards – dollar for dollar.”
The program provides grocery gift cards for families as well as toys for children which will be delivered to homes within the operation’s boundaries – north of Lake Ontario, south of Danforth Avenue, east of Coxwell Avenue, and west of Victoria Park Avenue.
However, through the Emergency Toy Program, people living outside these boundaries can still share in the experience, although limited to toys for children 12 years old and younger.
“Throughout the years we’ve seen an increase in demand for toys, so that evolved into our Emergency Toy Program,” said Khoshdel. “People outside the (boundaries) are able to possibly get toys if we have enough at the end of our (Share A Christmas] drive.”
Although much emphasis is put on making Christmas memorable for young participants, the program also caters to households without children, providing access to grocery gift cards by those registered in the program that can be picked up from Centre 55.
To make all this possible, however, community support is vital.
“Some people aren’t able to help financially but they’re definitely able to lend a helping hand,” said Khoshdel. “In whatever capacity people can help, they all chip in and all that, collectively, really makes a difference.”
Next week, Centre 55 will especially be in need of volunteers to help with the sorting and delivery of donated toys and other items to the families and individuals in need.
Volunteers needed on Tuesday, Dec. 17, and Wednesday, Dec. 18
On Tuesday, Dec. 17, volunteers will be needed to help sort donations. On Wednesday, Dec. 18, volunteers will be needed to help deliver the donations. To find out how to volunteer on Dec. 17 and 18, please contact Centre 55 at 416-691-1113.
Anyone who would like to donate can do so in-person at Centre 55 (97 Main St.). Cash donations are welcome as well as credit card donations which can be made by phone or on the website at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/29476
Cheques are also payable to “Community Centre 55” while e-transfers should be addressed to accounting@centre55.com.
All donations are tax deductible so donors are encouraged to include a postal or email address to receive a charitable tax receipt.
To help as a volunteer with Share A Christmas, please go to https://www.centre55.com/volunteer/
