Consider these York Region gifts that give twice
Many non-profits, charities offer perfect gift ideas
Yorkregion.com
Dec. 16, 2014
By Kim Zarzour
If you still have Christmas shopping to do, or if you are still feeling generous this during this festive time of year, you may want to consider gifts that give twice.
A variety of non-profit groups and charities in York Region offer items that you can wrap up and tuck under the tree - and do some good at the same time.
Here are nine great ways to give gifts that give twice:
HELP: Hospice Care
WHO: Hill House Hospice is the only home in York Region offering an alternative to those who are terminally ill and do not wish to die in a hospital or institutional setting
HOW: Shop at Hill House for unique jewelry, scarves, dragonfly cards, holiday gift bags, golf hats and sweatshirts. Funds help the hospice care for the terminally ill with dignity and respect. Call ahead to arrange a visit to the shop, located in the hospice home in Richmond Hill, 905-737-9308.
HELP: Homeless Youth
WHO: 360 Kids, which helps isolated and vulnerable children, youth and families in York Region, partnered with Raising the Roof, a national charity whose mission is to end youth homelessness across Canada
HOW: Choose from three different styles of toques and knee-high socks. Each item is a $10 donation, 80 per cent of which is directed to 360°Kids local programs, 20 per cent to Raising the Roof’s national efforts. Call Brittany Wilson, 905-475-6694 ext 316 or emailing bwilson@360kids.ca
HELP: Adults with developmental disabilities
WHO: L’Arche Daybreak is the oldest L’Arche community in North America, welcoming men and women with intellectual disabilities and the assistants who live, work and learn with them.
HOW: Visit the Richmond Hill studio to purchase high-quality artisan crafts - unique bowls, mosaics, candles, ceramic crosses, paintings, hand-made cards and paintings, created by artisans with intellectual disabilities at L’Arche in Richmond Hill and Bethleham. Call ahead to arrange a visit and shop at the working artists’ space, 905-737-5159.
HELP: Brain Research
WHO: The Women’s Brain Health Initiative creates education programs and funds research to combat brain aging diseases like Alzheimer’s that affect primarily women.
HOW: Pendants, pins and cufflinks featuring the Hope-Knot, a symbol designed by Mark Lash, Richmond Hill’s “jeweler to the stars” to represent the importance of memory and the brain. Call 416-927-2011 / 1-888-927-2011 or visit hopeknot.org
HELP: Needy families celebrating Christmas
WHO: York Region Media Group’s Santa Fund raises money and delivers gifts to local families during the holiday season.
HOW: Hand-knit items and hand-crafted wreaths can be purchased at YRMG’s Markham location during regular office hours, 50 McIntosh (Woodbine and Hwy 7), Unit 115; call 905-943-6100.
HELP: Community Spirit in Whitchurch Stouffville
WHO: WS You 177, a local initiative to build local legacy projects for a stronger community
HOW: Give someone a copy of the Dream book, a story by York Region author, Susan V. Bosak about hopes and dreams across a lifetime. Recipients can then take part in the 1 World, 1 Book program and add their “dream star” to the local library. $20 buys you a copy of the book that you can pick up at the WS Public Library; $40 gets you an autographed book and allows the organization to give a surprise gift of a Dream book a neighbour somewhere in Whitchurch Stouffville. For more information, visit wsyou177.org
HELP: Local wildlife care
WHO: Toronto Wildlife Centre, Canada’s busiest centre for wildlife rescue, veterinary care, rehabilitation and education, providing service throughout southern Ontario
HOW: For $20, purchase a set of six full-colour cards, each featuring a unique wildlife patient and the story of their rescue and release. All proceeds will go towards helping to give sick, injured and orphaned animals a second chance in the wild. Includes six translucent envelopes. Visit http://www.torontowildlifecentre.com/shop
HELP: Medical care for children living in poverty
WHO: Healing Hugs, a program by Christian Blind Mission Canada, funds medical and rehabilitative care for a child’s surgery, casts, physiotherapy, braces, crutches etc.
HOW: For $30 a month for one year, you will receive a stuffed teddy bear to wrap and put under a tree, and a child in Uganda will also receive a comforting bear, along with the specific, specialized medical care he/she needs. Visit the booth this week at Upper Canada Mall or call 1-800-567-2264 or healinghugs.ca
HELP: Restore and protect environmental health of Lake Simcoe
WHO: Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
HOW: Give a $50 family pass to Scanlon Creek Conservation. Recipients can hike, cross-country and snowshoe through 300 hectacres of trails and nature preserve. Contact the authority at lsrca.on.ca or 905-895-1281 or 800-465-0437
