More than 400 non-profit organizations in York Region have written their wish lists and, with your support, those wishes can be fulfilled.
Neighbourhood Network, the charitable arm of Magna International, has kicked off its annual Holiday Gift Drive that has for a decade collected and distributed donations of gift cards, cash, food, clothing, toys and toiletries to its community partners. The drive runs until Dec. 21.
If you wish to participate in the adopt-a-family program this holiday season, that, too, can be arranged.
“Every year it’s so surprising how there’s more and more people in need,” Neighbourhood Network program assistant Maggie Pelyvas said, adding food, clothes, toys and toilet paper have been the most common items on the wish lists. “These are our next-door neighbours who have somehow fallen through the cracks.”
For instance, Belinda's Place, the emergency and transitional housing facility for homeless women in Newmarket, is wishing for new and gently used suitcases, bedding for single and double beds, hand and bath towels, flip flops and toiletries.
The wish list for York Support Services Network/310-COPE includes gift cards for Tim Hortons and grocery stores, food, sweet & salty treats, adult socks, hats, mitts —and "anything Christmasy".The gift drive is Pelyvas' favourite time of year because she gets to be the holiday elf, she said.
The Network also organizes the wildly successful Magna Hoedown, which this year donated more than $500,000 to local community groups.
Other programs run by Neighbourhood Network include the Give Back Awards, which give graduating high school students a cash prize based on their exceptional contributions to their student and local communities, as well as a winter snow removal program for seniors and persons with disabilities.
This is all made possible with the 2 per cent of pre-tax profit Magna sets aside for good works through its Neighbourhood Network.
“It’s Magna’s way of giving back to the community,” said Pelyvas. “Our goal is to reach even more families this year and support our non-profit partners with their specific and most urgent needs. That’s what makes us unique.”
Donations of gift cards are increasing in popularity, she added, mostly because it empowers those on the receiving end to purchase things for themselves and their families.
“They want to put a warm feeling on Christmas, especially for their children,” Pelyvas said.
The Holiday Gift Drive ensures gift donations go into the hands of those who need it most, she added.
Donations can be dropped off at the Neighbourhood Network office Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 14988 Yonge St., Aurora. Call 905-726-3737 for more information or visit here.
