EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect the most current dollar figures raised.
As families across Ontario prepare for the holiday season, United Way Halton and Hamilton’s Holiday Helping Hands program hopes to ensure that every family has something to look forward to by providing around $150,000 in financial relief to 2,425 community members.
The program offers residents a variety of ways to give back to their community and to lend a hand to families in need, either by adopting a family to buy gifts for them, donating to a gift drive or putting together holiday kits.
“The Helping Hand program really connects people in need in the community with holiday wish lists,” Kristen Jacob, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for United Way Halton and Hamilton, said. “Whether it’s adopting a family, volunteer opportunities or holiday kit packing, it’s a great way to bring some joy and cheer to some members of the community who are facing tough times this year.”
United Way Halton and Hamilton works with organizations such as Home Suite Hope, The Women’s Centre of Halton, the Reach Out Centre for Kids and more to provide the less fortunate with festive cheer or much-needed necessities.
Jacob spoke on the impact that receiving items from a wish list can be for many families as times get harder.
“It can be huge,” she said. “This year, we’ve seen a doubling in the need of the community. We would normally expect to see things like toys or electronic items on wish lists, but this year we’re seeing a big need for basic necessities, food cards, gas cards and hygiene products. For a lot of people right now, these wish lifts and these gifts mean the world to them.”
The Holiday Helping Hand program is helping more than 220 families this year, nearly doubling the 120 families selected in 2023.
Despite the increased need, United Way Halton and Hamilton has found that the community is still passionate about supporting their fellow families in need.
“Our community has stepped up like never before,” Jacob said. “Every single family that signed up for Adopt A Family is being supported this year, so many workplaces and organizations have stepped forward to do kit packing with our staff to make sure they get to the agencies we support. It’s been unbelievable to see the amount of people coming out for this program.”
United Way Halton and Hamilton also runs a community donation warehouse for agency partners to let the community show their support year-round.