Christmas Sponsorship Program
A Time of Giving
For the past 29 years, LIFE*SPIN has been coordinating a successful Community Christmas Sponsor Program for London’s low-income community. The holiday spirit is about giving, and last year we distributed over 1,350 Christmas hampers to families in need, which is an enormous accomplishment with a most heart-warming outcome. Your support has enabled us to help reduce hardships that many low-income families and their children face each day.
2023 has offered new challenges in serving the most at-risk families in our community. Throughout the year, we continued to help with food security, children’s programs, access to disability supports, housing, filing Income Taxes, the Free Store and health supports while making innovative adjustments for Covid-19 and the very high-risk population we serve.
Christmas is a particularly difficult time for many struggling to raise children in poverty, and this has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Your support will help to bring joy to the families in need this holiday season. This program is critical for the young children who are impacted by the loss of income that leaves their parents struggling to provide even the most basic needs of shelter and food. We understand that Covid-19 may have impacted your income and the ability to help others this season. These are difficult times and we all look forward to the full return to our standard program.
We are grateful for both your encouragement and support and we wish you and yours a safe and healthy 2023 Christmas.
COVID-19 Changes to the Program
In order to minimize contact with our donors, and keep our at-risk participants, volunteers and staff safe, we have found some new ways to help families this season. You can still enjoy the fun of shopping for a specific child, but other options allow us to minimize the physical contact, and still serve the families struggling in poverty. Our changes to the program are listed below (How it Works).
2023 Christmas Lights and Sirens
Toy Drive!!
Mark your calendar for the 2023 Christmas Lights and Sirens on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 between 11:00am and 2:00pm!
A wonderful chance to bring toys and items for children to the Horton Street Fire Station and have a photo op with Santa!
See you there!!
Our friends from the London Emergency Services are doing a large toy drive and corporate pick-ups to support the minimal contact between donors and our volunteers.
Deliveries
We will have a driver, experienced with no-contact food deliveries, visit each family that is registered, to either drop off their envelope of gift cards and/or the toys collected by the firefighters at the annual Christmas Lights and Sirens.
How It Works
Your support has enabled us to help reduce hardships which many low-income families and their children face each day. Last year, we were able to assist over 4,000 children and over 1,350 families for Christmas.
LIFE*SPIN matches low-income families with those wishing to help a disadvantaged family celebrate Christmas. Using the sign-up form above, you will have the choice of how many children you would like in your family, or if you would like multiple families. We will match your donation to the family you chose. In order to assist as many families as possible, we suggest that you donate a $50 gift card for each child in the family, and purchase a $50 grocery store gift card or Christmas Food Box for the family as well. For example, a donation of $500 could sponsor two families with four children or five families with one child. You can attach a personal message with your donation, if you would like to designate how many children/families you would like to help.
LIFE*SPIN can provide a Charitable Tax Receipt for the total of all original receipts, with the exception of any tax portions. We need a complete mailing address for each person wishing to receive a receipt. Charitable Tax Receipts will be mailed by February 15th.
When you purchase toys, grocery cards and gift cards directly, please ensure you include the receipts for these, if you would like a Charitable Tax Receipt.
Donation Options:
Please make sure to fill out the sign-up form above so that we can match your donation to your contact information to mail you a Charitable Tax Receipt.
Gift Card Purchases: You are welcome to drop off gift cards that you purchase directly, though the mail slot in our door at 866 Dundas Street, or mail them to us at P.O. Box 2801. Please include your receipts if you would like a Charitable Tax Receipt.
Toy Purchases for Christmas 2023: If you wish to purchase toys directly, please bring them to Christmas Lights & Sirens on December 2nd, from 11:00 to 2:00 p.m. This will be a drive-through donation set-up at Fire Station #1 at 400 Horton Street (at Colborne). First responders will receive your donations from your vehicle and load them for drop off at LIFE*SPIN.
Mail us your receipts, by December 31, 2023 for a Charitable Tax receipt.
Cheque: Please mail your donation to LIFE*SPIN at P.O. Box 2801, London, ON N6A 4H4
E-Transfer: Please make your e-transfer to life@execulink.com
Donate Online: Click the donate here button below to access our Christmas Sponsorship Campaign page to donate to low-income families with children. You can print your Charitable Tax Receipt directly from the site, so you don't need to worry about mailing in your receipts later.
Shop for a specific Family: By dropping off gifts for my assigned family at the LIFE*SPIN office, by December 1st. I will mail in my receipts.
FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN NEED:
A Program That Truly Makes a Difference
“5 years ago we lost our house to a fire. Everything was gone and we had lost hope. When we landed paths with LIFE*SPIN we encountered an amazing experience that we are incredibly thankful for. The kind and friendly ladies of LIFE*SPIN went above and beyond to make sure that my children, husband, and I all had an amazing Christmas.”
— Katarina
“For the past two years my son on Christmas morning has woken up happy and excited. That means more than anything to me. I am very appreciative.”
— Breanna
“Two years ago I was in a difficult financial position. I was very scared I wouldn’t be able to give my children a Christmas morning. It breaks my heart to think that my children might have had to miss out on something so special. Thanks to the Christmas program my two boys got to have a gift and the most wonderful day. We smiled, laughed and played with their new toys. We had unforgettable memories made for us that Christmas. I really truly appreciate the help!”