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We have a lot of homeless in Canada for a nation so rich in many resources. At this time of year around Christmas i am really appreciative for all i have.
i try to do a little something to help the needy in my community. I also get my children involved.
This year i voluntered at our local church..delivering food to the needy. i also donated some of my own stuff (food, clothing and toys) to the food bank and local mission. My children every year clean out there closets and donate the toys they dont use or need, especially with new presents coming to Santas Anoymous.

So what are you doing to help those less fortunate?

Well it's not a christmas thing but for the last 2 year's I've participated in the "Homeless for a night" campaign that is for the "Youth Emergency Shelter" here in Edmonton. I'm an ex resident. I've made the Edmonton Sun paper both year's. It's for a great cause, kid's who need a chance.

Thats awesome..tell us more about..what did they cover in the paper?

Well the first year I made the paper they just pictured me with two ladie's. It was just to show the people getting involved. The second year was because I orginized a team. I got 3 co-worker's to join me. My company donated $500.00 to our team. Our team raised the most money out of all the team's that took part. We got our picture in the paper for raising the most money. I was also interveiwed by "City TV". The people that were orginizing the event thought it would be good to have an ex resident talk about how the shelter helped me out. I was also interveiwed by the radio station "Sonic102.9". It's a great feeling to be able to give back to a place that really helped me when I needed it most. If I were to die tommorrow, I could atleast say I gave back!

Right on man. What a great story. Your a credit to our society.

I ended up at the shelter when I was 17. I had moved from Ontario to Alberta to meet my biological parent's. I was here for about 5 week's and then my biological mother found out she couldn't claim welfare for me because I wasn't legally her kid. She kicked me out. I didn't know anyone and going back to Ontario wasn't an option at that time. I heard about the shelter through a friend. I called them and told them what was happening and they told me to come down. I ended up staying there for 3 month's. During that time they got me a part time job and got me into counceling to deal with my depression. I can honestly say that had they not been there, there's a good chance I wouldn't be here now! There are alot of kid's staying there that are only there because they are spoiled and don't want to follow their parent's rule's, but, for every 20 kid's that are residing there, there's atleast 1 that really can't live at home. Those are the kid's that make me want to help. We all have to work for what we have in life but every kid should have an equal start!

At least twice a year my son and I go through his toys and our clothes and those that we don't use anymore we donate to the Salvation army or sometimes I go to this park that is near low income housing and I bring some toys to the children there. I just love their expressions when they get the things. Makes my son and I feel good and its a great way to show my children that you have to appreciate what you have and its even greater to share with those who are not so lucky.

I was thinking about taking my kids down to the Shelter. I wanted them to see what it is like for some people...struggling. but at the same time i dont want them starring at poor folks.

I wonder what a good way is to teach kids about being homeless and the realities of our world. In essence, too appreciate all we have? (besides, speaking of it, have done that)

My thinking was children dont reason well but seeing it visual/live would possibly have a greater effect.
I think i will telephone the shelter first and see others views on this before proceeding.

My dad passed when we were all very young....the eldest being 17 and the youngest at 7 years old.
My mom was left to raise us all on her own....and did a pretty great job at that.
HOWEVER, when christmas came around, momma always struggled with making it a wonderful christmas and made it always spectacular......BUT I always remembered the Salvation Army coming to our house with "christmas boxes" for all the kids and in it, there were gloves, scarves, candy and a toy.....and left us a little care Package too......
To this day I will never forget how the Salvation Army helped my mom and also us in times of lonliness and despair........I always swore that when I "grew up" and started working, I would return the favor.....so, every christmas when I see the little ball with salvation army written over it, I drop $100.00 ........SOMETIMES it's 50 dollars one time and another 50 anther time....but guaranteed they get that every year
I also donate clothes, furniture and whatever I may have to the Sally ann stores. I tried the women shelters in Toronto to donate a whole heap of stuff (clothes, toys, etc) and they declined ......said they had too much??????? ..gave THAT idea up real quick and decided to stick to Sally Anne..........
Everyone deserves a blessed christmas......no matter what!

So true Rose!
I make a dontation each year as well. Either to the local hosiptal foundation (because IMO it benefits the whole community) or too the Salvation Army.

I dont just put money in the little box each year as you do though. i do want a tax reciept for my donations. The government doesnt need my money so i figure i might as well get a deduction from the donations. Win Win for people in need and me..i guess is my thinking.

Well, when i was young we had the xmas hamper brought to our house for me and my mom........was the worst experience ever, they made us feel like crap and the lady kept looking around and making faces and made the comment to my mom that she should 'try' to do something with her life instead of live off the charity of others.....we never even asked for the damn basket..........anyways I rant........I DO help out throughout the year through work and fundraisers for our local community even though I hada bad experience, i know the majority truly have bursting hearts........at christmas though i personally help our animal shelters for the little ones who can't ask for help and freeze and get poisoned because of careless, heartless humans.....so at work along with our human hampers.....our animals hampers are proudly loaded !!!

Please help your local shelters to the little ones with no voices too

In the Niagara Region we have the "Out of the Cold" program. Different churches provide meals and shelter for those who need it.

Let see...I just donated 100's of Parkas to our local Kinsmen club for their Parkas for the Penniless program, as well as about a 40' container worth of clothing for them to distribute.
Also donated several boxes of household goods as well as other items to various programs & groups.
Landlady was locking our warehouse doors, and she would have tossed it ALL in the trash.

Note that I was already donating the parkas long before she decided to lock our doors, though. (LONG story to the reason why she locked the doors...something beyond our control, unfortunately...short story: Several government screw-ups that no one in government would take responsibility for.)

Regardless, eventhough things had been pretty lousy for me, somoene else out there is having a FAR worse time.

Donating the Parkas was just something I was in a position to do, so I did it. The other stuff I donated was going to help people, also, so it was better going to a good cause than what the landlady would have done with it.
NO, I don't expect 'kudos' for it...just hope someone out there TOPS my donation! Even matching it would be great....or starting a pile to give to a worthy cause!

There are lots out there less privilaged that you and I, and think that only a few years, months, weeks or even days ago, they could have been just like you and I. Circumstances beyond your control can take ahold of your life & tear it apart.

Think of it that way, and give while you are able....and give LOCALLY, let's take care of the people here before looking beyond, ok?
Take off your blinders to the problems in our own country. You can't solve problems elsewhere if you can't even deal with the ones in your own back yard.

Just my two cents for the Xmas season. Kudos to all of those keeping it local!

Well... through out the year i start buying things that I think someone could use or want around christmas time... then I put together little packages around christmas and donate them to families in need... exspecially now that I am a mentor at a school I am starting to see that there are alot of kids out there that will return to school unhappy becasue others get spoiled and they get everyday nessecities... and I deliver some packages to donation spots but the best are delivering them to the childrens hospitals where families are struggling trying to keep their child/ren healthy and can not really afford christmas's....

I like to also just visit with people and see what they have to say and sometimes when parents allow it I like to take a child on a trip of their dreams... weather it be to the mall for the day or a movie or even to a hockey game or the zoo....

its awesome to see so many of you getting involved

Well actually.. I cant say I have done as much as I could do .. But buy homeless guys hot dogs after the bar ... I see them sitting around .. SO I'll buy them each a sausage or hot dog... I wont give them cash ... I know this may sound a lil judgemental .. but who knows what they may spend the cash on ..... but if I have food or something and I see a homeless person .. I'll give it to them .... Im sure they need it more then my fat ass does anyhow.

well thats nice of you to share. thats what counts

My mother is head of the MICU (medical Intensive Care Unit) at the hospital here so she has me play Rappin Santa at the childrens ward(2 years in a row) I do give to the foodbank and we buy toys at garage sales throughout the summer and give those to the church every Christmas....but I didn't start any of this just participate. half credit.

man,, where do ya start,,, i give to the food bank,,, i give to the salvation army,,, i have strangers that are by themselves in my home and feed them on holidays,,, and have given blankets,,, the list is endless,,, as it goes for most of us

kelly (foxy) gave me two blankets, 3 pair of shoes and some dog food