5 Ways You Can Support Children This Holiday Season

little girl watching tv on couch

The holidays are quickly approaching. With so many challenges this year and rising costs on everything from food to rent, 2022 has been a difficult year for many, especially families, children and youth who have experienced the child welfare system. As we enter the festive season, a time for giving and acts of kindness, why not consider sprinkling a little joy into a child’s life with a gift to Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada?

Here are five ways that you help improve the lives of children and youth across the country and spread a little holiday cheer this season:

A boy walking

1. Donate to support children and youth

Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada is our country’s leading charity dedicated to standing up for children and families involved in the child welfare system and standing alongside youth with lived experience. We raise and grant funds and deliver a wide range of high-impact programs and services in partnership with 80 child-and-youth-serving agencies across the country. Last year alone Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada supported over 19,568 children, youth, and families! Your donation will help children in need today.

Donate now

A girl reading in a closet

2. Make your impact last

Want to make a lasting difference in the life of a young person who has experienced the child welfare system? Become a monthly donor with Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada and your donation will support children and youth all year long.

Become a monthly donor

Man on bike

3. Get active during the 3rd annual Holiday Bike Challenge

From November 24 to 27, log as many kilometers as you can from your stationary bike at home or from your preferred gym while raising important funds for children, youth and families involved in child welfare! Join as an individual or recruit colleagues, friends and family to create a team. Log 30 kilometers and raise a minimum of $250 for the opportunity to win awesome prizes. Easily set your distance goal and track your progress directly in your personal fundraising page by connecting to your Strava account or manually adding kilometers. Funds raised support the Foundation’s efforts to improve outcomes for children, youth, and families. Learn more about the initiative.

Questions? Contact Jess Brayne, Senior Manager, Corporate and Community Partnerships, at [email protected].

Sign up for the Bike Challenge today

A girl sitting on the bed

4. Fundraise with friends and family

For children and youth involved in child welfare, the holidays can be one of the loneliest times of the year. This holiday season, give back and help young people heal, grow, and create successful futures for themselves. Encourage those around you this holiday season to fundraise for Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada.

Fundraising with co-workers? You can set up a by-donation gift wrapping station, auction off decorated gingerbread houses or incorporate a fundraising element into your staff holiday party!

Fundraising with friends and family? Add a fundraising component to your holiday cookie swap or encourage guests to make a donation in lieu of bringing a host gift to your holiday gathering. Check out some more resources and get started this holiday season.

Start fundraising now

Tsehay holding a book

5. Download a Free e-Book for Children and Youth

Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada and The Wiggles have partnered to create an educational e-book for children called Something in Common. The book focuses on different types of family structures highlighting that we all have something in common even if our families and living arrangements appear different. Something in Common shares a powerful message of inclusion and diversity and will help parents and caregivers talk about the child welfare system and different family structures with their children in an accessible way. The Foundation’s generous sponsor AMJ Campbell will also donate $1 to children and youth for every download!

Download now

Bonus idea: Sponsor the Holiday Season Celebration

Held in December, the Holiday Season Celebration provides the opportunity for 300 children and youth in care, and their foster families, to experience a festive, safe, and positive holiday celebration. The event experience includes a hot buffet lunch, a wide range of activities such as face painting, arts and crafts, bouncy castles, video games, a youth lounge, a DJ, photos with Santa and more. Children and youth will bring home holiday gifts and family gift bags with household items will be distributed as well. The Holiday Season Celebration creates opportunities for children and youth in care to experience the joys of the season, to feel included within a community and amongst peers and increases feelings of self-worth. If you’d like to donate, please contact [email protected].

 

Have a question? Contact us at [email protected].