Tree of Giving campaign begins Nov. 13

What has become a holiday tradition of giving for the City of St. Catharines is returning for a 26^th year. 

The annual Tree of Giving campaign launched on Monday, Nov. 13. The initiative supports Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold. Residents are 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 throughout the year. 

“The Tree of Giving has received incredible support from the community over the years, allowing us all to truly tap into the spirit of the season,” said City of St. Catharines Community and Events Coordinator Andrea Connelly-Miele. “It’s heart warming to think how many families have been helped, thanks to the generous support of residents and City staff through the Tree of Giving campaign.” 

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 

Donation bins have been set up at Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre, St. Catharines City Hall, Russell Avenue Community Centre, St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre, Port Weller Community Centre, and St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre. 

Residents can make monetary donations via the Tip Tap machines at St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre and City Hall. 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 City has also included QR codes on posters, the donation bins and other materials for the Tree of Giving campaign, which will take residents to a webpage where they can make a donation directly to Community Care. For more information on Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold, including other ways to donate and support their holiday campaigns, visit communitycarestca.ca. 

For more information on the Tree of Giving campaign, including links to the online donation portal and printable gift tags, please visit stcatharines.ca/giving. The campaign runs until Dec. 11. 

Residents will also be able to make donations during the launch of Let it Glow on Dec. 1.