Festive fundraisers: Tell us about your holiday events to help the less fortunate

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CTV Windsor is compiling an ongoing list of festive events designed to think of others during the holiday season.

Riverside students give back

A can drive is now underway at Riverside Secondary School.

It runs from Nov. 4 until Dec. 6.

Minister of Internal/External Relations, Alaa Ebrahim hopes they surpass last years’ goal of collecting 20,000 canned goods.

All of them will go to UHC Hub of Opportunities.

Goodfellows Paper Sales

The 110th annual paper sales run Nov. 28 through Nov. 30 at intersections across Windsor and Tecumseh.

The charity is noticing a 40 per cent increase in food distributed over the past year, and officials said they are facing “significant challenges” in meeting demand.

Lola’s Pajama Fairy Project

From Nov. 1 to Dec. 1, you can drop off new pajamas at 15 locations across Windsor and Essex County.

"We are so proud to see the Lola’s Pajama Fairy Project go beyond stories at bedtime and encourage the goodwill of others in our community,” said Carrie Lee, the project’s coordinator.

“The small gestures of people throughout Windsor-Essex have brought much warmth and joy to people in need and we look forward to building on the work we started in 2017."

In the last seven years, more than 9,000 donated pairs of pajamas have been distributed to local charities and non-profit organizations to keep kids warm at night.

Drop-off locations:

Amherstburg

Remax Preferred Realty Ltd.

Libro Credit Union Centre

Seasons Retirement Communities

Belle River  

Community Support Centre of Essex County

Essex

A&B Bike Repair and Board Games

Kingsville

Kingsville Arena Complex

LaSalle

LaSalle Civic Centre

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 594

Leamington

Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre

Tecumseh

Coldwell Banker Urban Realty

Velero Wellness Centre

Windsor

Nguyen Chiropractic

Riverside Royal Canadian Legion

Community Donation House (Riverside)

PhysioFit

Megan and Lauren's Pajama Fundraiser

Megan and Lauren's Pajama Fundraiser focuses on ensuring all kids in Windsor and London hospitals have some festive pajamas on Christmas Eve.

In 2023, the campaign delivered more than 500 pairs of pajamas to kids in hospital.

If you would like to donate, an e-transfer can be sent to [e-mail] or call 519-551-7757 for a pick up or drop off location. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 10.

The Salvation Army Christmas Kettle campaign

The Salvation Army Christmas Kettle campaign runs from Nov. 15 until Dec. 24, collecting funds to support local families and individuals.

This year's goal is $240,000, helping those facing food insecurity and homelessness.

If you would like to donate, you can do so by donating at a local kettle, volunteering as a bell ringer or host a kettle at your local business.

Sparky's Toy Drive

LaSalle and Windsor fire are both collecting toys to give local children 16 and under a toy on Christmas Day.

If you are looking to register to be assisted by the fundraiser, you can do so on Nov. 23 at Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital at 1453 Prince Road from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

To donate or for more information on registration for Windsor, visit the website.

In LaSalle, you can register here until Dec. 6.

Drop-off locations include:

Donations will be accepted until Dec. 5. At the fire station, donations will be accepted right up until Dec. 23.

Santa's Elves Workshop: Stars Junior Optimist Clubs

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or until supplies last, kids can come pick out something for two people, free of charge. It will be wrapped and ready to go for the holidays.

Volunteers with the Junior Optimist Clubs will help select the perfect gift from the donated items and the adults that tag along will have some refreshments to enjoy.

If you would like to donate any new or gently used items or wrapping paper, you can send an email to [e-mail]. If you are a high school student looking to fulfill your volunteer hours, you can also reach out to help run the event.

Kids 14 and under can participate. One family can receive a maximum of six gifts. It all takes place at the Essex Youth Center at 242 Talbot Street North, Essex.

Santa for Seniors

Santa for Seniors is inviting the community to write cards and send gifts to seniors in Chatham-Kent this year.

This is the fifth year in a row the group is holding the initiative, looking to put a smile on the faces of those in retirement and nursing homes who will spend the holidays isolated and alone.

“These past few years have been particularly challenging for so many people in our community and there have been lots of great ways to help with these challenges,” said Dava Robichaud, co-organizer.

“Isolation is another challenge, especially for seniors, and we hope to brighten their day with some gifts and cards from every corner of Chatham-Kent.”

Over the last four years, several gifts and cards have been collected. In 2020, 5,800 greeting cards were sent and just over 800 gifts were delivered. From 2021 to 2023, 4,225 gifts were collected with 13,560 greeting cards.

“With 2,000 seniors living in retirement and nursing homes, and hundreds more living on their own, we’d like each senior to get a greeting card and a gift again this year,” said Emmalee Longbottom, co-organizer.

If you would like to participate, you can deliver cards and gifts, such as toiletries, cookies, tea, puzzles, hats, gloves, stationary, and other small gifts, to the TekSavvy Security Kiosk at 800 Richmond Street, Chatham or Wallaceburg Community Living Administration Offices at 1100 Dufferin Avenue in Wallaceburg.

If you need an empty box, you can also pick one up at either location. Gifts and cards will be accepted until Dec. 13 and will be delivered from Dec. 17 through Dec. 20.

Socks and Bottoms

Socks and Bottoms volunteers are collecting donations at the Caboto Club on Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Elli Weese, chairperson for Socks and Bottoms, said the focus is on new underwear for all genders and ages and toilet paper. The group is also collecting new adult diapers, socks and various winter clothing items.

“While we are grateful for any and all clothing donations, our feedback from the 32 agencies we serve is on toilet paper and underwear,” said Weese.

“All of us experience the effects of inflation and everyday items, especially groceries. Unfortunately, the trickle-down effect of rising [prices] has forced many vulnerable adults and their children to ‘go without’ this year.”

Anyone who has donations for the cause is asked to pull up in the circular driveway at the front entrance of the Caboto Club. All of the donations will be put into a truck and sent out to various agencies across the city and county.

“People who generously purchase an extra bundle of toilet paper or new socks or underwear to drop these items off at the Caboto Club, should know the truth about the Rotary effort,” said Bonnie Pacuta, a volunteer for the Rotary Club of Walkerville.

“100 per cent of your donation will go directly to 32 agencies for immediate distribution. No one from the Rotary gets a penny for volunteering their time and resources.”

WE CARE winter coat, hat and glove drive

The third annual WE CARE: Winter coat, hat and glove drive is being held during December.

The Rafih Auto Group is holding the drive in Windsor, Essex and Leamington, asking for new or gently used kids winter coats, hats and gloves, supporting the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Foundation.

Gift cards and new, unwrapped toys are also being collected.

“We always want to give back to the community in different ways,” said Zeyad Rafih, vice president of Rafih Auto Group.

“We appreciate the support from our staff, customers, friends and family during the holiday season and hope that we can all come together for this great cause.”

In addition to the donations from the public, Rafih Auto Group will buy new coats, hats, gloves and toys to add to the donation total.

Donations need to be dropped off by the end of the day on Dec. 16.

Drop-off locations: