Image: A christmas tree with an ornament, located next to a fireplace with four red and white stockings.

The turn of the year, and its subsequent turn of temperatures and holiday events, make volunteering and fundraising a common thought on many minds.

While the holidays are a joyous time for many, it is not for all. Many families experience the consequences of poverty, isolation, chronic illness, racism and discrimination, and other forms of oppression.

You can make a difference in your community this holiday season by connecting with various community organizations, understand the root causes of related social issues, and give back through your time, gifts, and empathy.

To promote the real essence of the holidays, we have below a list of charitable/non-profit organizations that bring essential services and social support to vulnerable community members in Edmonton and greater Alberta.

Christmas Bureau Society (Alberta)

Image: A young child accepts a gift from an adult.

The Christmas Bureau Society has served Edmonton families, seniors, and individuals since 1940.

You can apply to privately sponsor a family hamper for the holidays through the Holiday Hamper program, donate a $75 gift card to their Adopt-A-Teen program, fundraise, or volunteer with the Christmas Bureau in your local community.

The Christmas Bureau Society collects funds, food, toys, and necessary items from local community members, then distributes holiday hampers to families in need. Many families live in poverty, even more due to the impacts of COVID-19 and the current economy. As a result, many families do not have the resources to buy a turkey dinner (or other meals surrounding their cultural traditions), nor can they fill their tree with gifts, or meet some of their basic needs.

Santas Anonymous (Alberta)

Image: A child stands in the presence of Santa Claus, dressed in red and white.

At any time leading up to the holiday season, you can volunteer at any family or collection events, donate toys, or fundraise.

For Christmas assistance, applications open as early as October, for delivery drivers to begin in December.

Santa’s Anonymous collects, sorts, packages and delivers toys to less fortunate children, with the vision of every single child in Alberta receiving a new toy for Christmas. This organization is specifically focused on bringing toys to children living in poverty.

Your Local Alberta Food Banks

Image: A series of different cans and cartons are stacked and piled.

Across Alberta, local food banks collect surplus and donated food and other necessities and distribute it to community members in need, while seeking further solutions to prevent and respond to hunger and poverty.

Around the holidays and the winter season, many more families experience food insecurity. Due to the impacts of COVID-19, demand on food banks have significantly increased, meanwhile food bank resources have lagged behind, furthering unmet needs.

Stocking Stuffers for SENIORS (London Drugs)

Stocking Stuffers for Seniors is donation-based initiative that collects gifts donated by local community members. It is a chain-wide campaign across Canada.

Many seniors experience loneliness and isolation in their personal or assisted living homes that are exacerbated by the holiday season. Not everyone has family members who visit them or deliver gifts.

London Drugs partners with local care homes and charities to bring the donated gifts to seniors in the community, bringing more holiday cheer to isolated seniors in your community.

The Stocking Stuffers for Seniors initiative runs in November and ends in early to mid December. Check the London Drugs website for the most up-to-date details.

Ronald McDonald House (Alberta)

The Ronald McDonald House manages 4 houses across Alberta, allowing nearly 1,200 families much needed overnight stays who travel away-from-home for vital medical treatment.

At any time, you can support families and their children at the Ronald McDonald House through financial gifts, legacy giving, or donating everyday items on the Wish List. Closer to the holidays, local RMHC also host additional holiday specific donation initiatives.

Many families stay at the Ronald McDonald house for multiple months of the year, away from their homes and families. Come Christmas time, this time away alongside the stress of a ill child, can take a real toll on families.

In support of families, Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada lead various initiatives that seek to make the House a home for families through gift donations and holiday activities.

Canadian Native Friendship Centre

The Canadian Native Friendship Centre provides support to Indigenous members living in urban centres. Local friendship centres across Alberta work to provide a safe and culturally respectful gathering places for meetings, social events, and community gatherings.

The Centres also provide various cultural, recreational, and social programming to Indigenous community members. Their mission is to promote and support an integrated, self-reliant Indigenous community that actively participates as urban citizens, taking responsibility for their shared condition in a spirit of health, cooperation, and wellness within a strong cultural base.

Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation

Give the gift of a donation to the Stollery to your friends and family, or purchase various toys, books, games, stocking stuffers, and more at the Stollery Store for children and families at the Stollery. You can also lead a community fundraise at a birthday party, wedding, school, work, or neighbourhood.

The Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation raises money in support of the pursuit of excellence in children’s health care and educate communities about the Hospital’s needs. The Hospital provides essential health care services and supports to children across Alberta and beyond to promote their health and quality life into the long-term.

Good Neighbour Thrift Store in Calgary

Good Neighbour is Calgary’s first pay-what-you-can community market. They accept and collect donations from clothing, toiletries, plants, bags, household items, and non-perishable food. They also accept financial donations towards the market or their community fridge. The market is run by volunteers, so you can volunteer your time if that is more available to you.

Good Neighbour offers the donated items in a dignified shopping environment at rates individuals can personally pay for, rather than set price tags. Many thrift stores in our communities still provide second-loved items at prices, and locations, that are inaccessible to low-income members. Good Neighbour seeks to break barriers, increase accessibility, and dignity among vulnerable community members.

Youth Empowerment and Support Services

YESS walks beside traumatized youth on their journey towards healing and appropriate community integration. They provide a low barrier 24/7 shelter, drop-in resource centre, temporary supportive housing, temporary independent cohort housing, and wrap-around supports for young people aged 15-24.

Support YESS and local businesses at the same time! Several Edmonton businesses host fundraising or donation initiatives to support YESS such as EPS Donate a Ride Program, Mealshare in several local restaurants, Blush Lane Organic Market, Paws a Sec pet therapy, and Donate a Car Canada.

You can also sign up for a monthly monetary donation. Items YESS needs and accepts include laptops, PCs, TVs, snacks, books, exercise equipment, appliances, and youth-oriented clothing. Items can be dropped off at the Bissell Centre, identifying it is for YESS. Any surplus will go back to the Bissell Centre.

Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers

Volunteer anytime of the year to connect with diverse families, build your own cultural understanding, and promote a safer and more welcoming community.

Opportunities include event organization, administration support, sharing your Edmonton knowledge in the New Neighbours program, becoming a mentee or tutor, an English conversation circle facilitator, or a community translator.

Edmonton Immigration Services Association provide several important support services to support the well-being of immigrant and refugees and integration into Canadian society. Many newcomers experience isolation due to many cultural barriers in Canadian systems.

Services and programs assist families and individuals from integration, settlement, adaptation, and education in Edmonton and the surrounding area. By volunteering, you can also contribute yours’s and the community’s cross-cultural understanding and anti-racism initiatives to build a more positive, safer, welcoming, and culturally safe community.

Outreach Centre Adopt a Family (Central Alberta/Red Deer)

Share the spirit of the holidays with families in Central Alberta by providing gifts under the tree, special treats, and a holiday meal. Support single parent families by sponsoring or adopting a family, donating gift cards, and making a monetary donation.

The Outreach Centre is a dual agency devoted to supporting women affected by family violence, helping them meet their basic needs and to find solutions to creating a safer, healthier, and more secure life for themselves and their families. Programs respond to families affected by domestic violence, suicide, homelessness, and the effects of poverty.