Christmas really can be a time of wonder and transformation. We see it again and again when our generous donors "adopt a family" at Christmas. As one adopter told us, "I have been participating in the Moorelands Christmas Sharing Program for over 5 years. For me by far the biggest thrill of Christmas is getting the lists for the families and heading to the stores! Knowing my small contribution is putting smiles on children's faces is the highlight of my season. It is a great team effort and I strongly recommend it to anyone who feels Christmas has lost some of its spirit."

Each year Moorelands Community Services provides Holiday gifts to more than 250 low-income Toronto families struggling to make ends meet. And every year during the holiday season, we offer a uniquely personalized way for you to reach out to families in need. For more information, check out the Christmas Sharing Brochure.

For Individuals/Families Helping Families, Click here to apply
For Groups/Companies Helping Families, Click here to apply

• You can help make Christmas special this year by adopting a family in need.

• Moorelands will provide you with the first names, ages and interests of the children, along with some suggestions of items you may wish to include.

• All we ask is that you take some time to prepare a list and head out on a magnificent shopping excursion on behalf of the family you are matched with.

• When you have finished, box up the un-wrapped items and bring them into the Moorelands office - we'll take care of distributing them to your adopted family.

Click here to Donate online.

• This year we hope to distribute more than 250 Christmas packages to families in need. It costs between $150 and $450 to prepare a hamper depending on family size

• You can also make a donation to Moorelands in the name of friends or family. We will send them a holiday card letting them know that you have made a generous gift in their name. Click here to make a tribute donation.

• You get a tax receipt and the knowledge that your gift will give a helping hand to kids and families all year long.

Sponsor a child to attend a Moorelands After-school program: $420 will support a child to attend a Moorelands After-school program for one year, $210 for a semester, $42 for a month. Or send a child to camp next summer with a donation of $840. These are gifts that will last a lifetime. All donations help. Please click here for more information.

Who hasn't received a gift they didn't need or want? Or given a present to a child who opened it and put aside, never to be picked up again? Birthdays and Christmases can be holidays of plenty, even excess, for privileged children. Or they can be opportunities to transform the life of a less fortunate child. Ask the children in your life - family members or friends - to give up one gift, just one gift, from you or some other relative or friend. Let your child or grandchild know the value of the gift will be donated instead to sponsor a less fortunate child to attend a Moorelands After-school program.