City launches Tree of Giving campaign in support of Community Care

A holiday tradition of giving back continues for the City of St. Catharines.

The City’s annual Tree of Giving campaign launched today, in support of Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold. The community is invited to contribute to the campaign by donating new, unwrapped gifts, gift cards or monetary donations, which will be distributed by Community Care to families registered in the organization’s Christmas program. The campaign, previously known as the Tree of Little Angels, marks its 25^th year in 2022.

“The holidays are a special time of the year that brings together the community to celebrate, and initiatives like the Tree of Giving allow us to truly tap into the spirit of the season,” said Andrea Connelly-Miele, community and events coordinator for the City of St. Catharines. “It’s incredible to think of how many smiles were put on the faces of families over the last 25 years, thanks to the incredible support of City staff and residents through our holiday giving campaign.” 

This year’s campaign takes place through to December 9, and there are a variety of ways the community can offer support. Donation bins will once again be set up at City facilities to accept donations of new, unwrapped toys or gift cards (which are preferred as they are more inclusive). As in the past several years, printable gift tags can be found on the City’s website to attach to the donations.

This year donation bins will be set up at Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre, West St. Catharines Older Adults Centre, St. Catharines City Hall, Russell Avenue Community Centre, Dunlop Drive Older Adult Centre, St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre, Port Weller Community Centre, St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre and Port Dalhousie Older Adult Centre.

Gift suggestions include:

• Infants to 2 years: cuddly toys, educational toys, talking books, large blocks
• 3 to 5 years: toy cars, trucks, children's flashlights, dolls, books, puzzles, educational toys, art and craft supplies, puzzles, models
• 6 to 8 years: cars, trucks, action figures, dolls, art and craft supplies, books, games, puzzles, models, cameras, jewelry
• 9 to 16: books, gift cards, sports supplies and equipment, models, games, cosmetics, jewelry, hair accessories

New this year, residents can make monetary donations via the Tip Tap machines at St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre, and Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre. The machine enables a fast, contact-free donation of $5 per transaction with a simple tap with debit, credit or the donor’s e-wallet. The system has previously been used to collect donations at City facilities such as Happy Rolph’s and the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre.

The City has also included QR codes on posters, the donation bins and other materials for the Tree of Giving campaign, allowing residents to make a donation directly to Community Care by focusing their mobile device’s camera on the QR code. For more information on Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold, including other ways to donate and support their holiday campaigns, visit www.communitycarestca.ca.

For more information on the Tree of Giving campaign, including links to the online donation portal and printable gift tags, please visit our Tree of Giving page.