Gifts from the Heart

Christmas isn’t just about presents and decorations; it’s about love and family. So try to give to those who are in need – and remember: your money won’t be just another present to them, but a symbol of love and compassion. Here are some places where you can get started:

Clean Water for a Class A healthy source of water is imperative. Clean water can diminish illness; dirty water can be fatal. With this gift, you will guarantee a class full of children that can concentrate on their quench for knowledge instead of water. www.plancanada.ca

Operation Smile in Support of Vietnam’s 20th Anniversary You can spare a child from a life of misery with just one 45-minute cleft-lip surgery. By donating, you will be assisting volunteer medical teams put a smile back on the faces of children born with facial deformities. secure.operationsmile.org

SickKids Foundation Donations With your help, Hospital for Sick Children can look after over 100,000 patients annually. Conducting open-heart surgeries on infants tiny enough to fit into your palm, the SickKids Foundation fosters hope. www.sickkidsfoundation.com

Pathway to Hope at St. Jude’s The Pathway of Hope started in 2007, with 1,495 inscribed bricks, acquiring $1.9 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The newest addition of 2,094 bricks has raised another $2.4 million for the children of St. Jude. With your help, they can probably double that number again! www.stjude.org

World Vision: Donate 1 goat & 2 chickens AND/OR 2 soccer balls Goats give children and families safe milk, cheese and yogurt. Chickens distribute fresh eggs that have abundant protein and nutrients. Additional eggs and chicks can be sold to purchase necessities. Your gift of a soccer ball can substitute a makeshift banana leaf ball or rounded wad of garbage for a child. With a thoughtful match from Baeden Sports, your present can provide two new soccer balls, instead of just one! donate.worldvision.org

Canada Helps Regardless of the type of shopper or charitable donor you are, Canada Helps can work around your giving needs. Help a child by just grocery shopping, like you usually would. www.canadahelps.org

Yellow Brick House Yellow Brick House is dedicated to renovating the lives of abused women and children, making sure they have a safe home to rely on. All services are free, confidential and accessible in different languages. With one donation of $30, you can give an abused child one hour of art therapy. www.yellowbrickhouse.org

Anthropologie These cordial creatures made from antique recyclables produce emotions that aren’t normally felt at first glance of a gadget – and they’re a great gift for the environment! www.anthropologie.com