Our Mission

Holiday Helpers is a registered charity whose mission is to provide a one-time personalized Christmas package to families with young children living in low-income situations who are trying to improve their circumstances.

We work with donors, volunteers and partnering charities to provide each family with a holiday meal, decorated Christmas tree, and customized Christmas gifts.

What We Do

Holiday Helpers provides the complete Christmas experience to families living in low-income situations.

Our goal is to provide necessary poverty relief items while sharing the spirit of Christmas and giving.

Many of the families in the program are:

  • single parent families
  • newly immigrated to Canada
  • involved in programs for subsided daycare or living
  • have experienced a catastrophic event that has impacted their financial situation

All the families are motivated to make a positive difference in their children's lives. They often work multiple jobs to make ends meet, attend night school or even perform volunteer work of their own.

Each Family Receives...

Our goal is to provide each family with the full Christmas experience, which includes:

  • An artificial Christmas tree with all the trimmings, including lights, decorations and a tree topper
  • A minimum $100 gift card to a local grocery store for a warm meal
  • Personalized gifts from the families wish list, including warm jackets, clothing, household items and toys

Help us reach our 2022 goal of sponsoring 1,000 families.

We are currently sponsoring families in:

The Greater Toronto Area

Hamilton and Area

How it all began...

Many years ago, just a few days before Christmas Day in 1996, a family in Brampton lost their home in a house fire. The Salvation Army put out a community call-to-action to help the family by donating clothing, housewares, and food.

Sisters and students at the time, April and Sarah Rutka wanted to help the family and unknowingly started a legacy.

April and Sarah Rutka of Holiday Helpers in the warehouse