Christmas Program - Donors
3 Ways To Donate
Become a low-income family’s Secret Santa.
Say hello to our first responders, as you drop off toys and gifts for children ages 0-18.
Learn more about the other methods of donating that support the Christmas Program.
Our Kickoff Event: Christmas Lights & Sirens Toy Drive!
Saturday, November 29, 2025
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Fire Station #1 - 400 Horton Street (at Colborne), London, ON
First responders will receive your donations from your vehicle or you are welcome to take a picture with Santa and show your little ones around the fire station and emergency vehicles. First responders will load up all the donations for drop off at LIFE*SPIN.
Why is This Toy Drive So Important to us?
The donations from the Christmas Lights and Sirens Toy Drive go towards the families that sign up for our Christmas Program, that we are not able to provide matched sponsors for.
We cannot emphasize enough that every donation given towards our Christmas Program is deeply appreciated!
Sponsor A Family
STEP 1: Sign Up As A Sponsor
Using the sign-up form, you will have the choice of how many children you would like to purchase gifts for, or if you would like multiple families. We match sponsors to families based on the number of children the sponsor has asked for. Last year, our Christmas Program served 1,600 low-income families in London.
STEP 2: Keep An Eye On Your Email
We will email you the children's first names, genders, and short wish lists to Santa, to give you a choice of what gift to buy. You can expect this email within a few days after signing up as a sponsor.
If you do not receive an email within 1 week of signing up, please check your spam folder before contacting us.
STEP 3: Start Shopping!
We hope to provide one age-appropriate gift to each child, valued up to $50 for each child.
We recommend spending $50 per child, as well as providing a $50 grocery gift card for each family you sponsor.
STEP 4: Bag & Label Your Donations
Please put all of your donations into a black garbage bag, so the children can’t see Santa’s gifts, when they are delivered. Sponsors do not have to wrap the presents, but you may provide wrapping paper, by including it in the garbage bag with your donations.
Label each bag with the family ID number that was in the email you were sent, as well as the number of bags in your donation. This can be done with sticker labels, duct tape, strong paper, or other similar materials.
Example: If you have 2 bags of donations, mark the first bag with “bag 1 of 2” and the second with “bag 2 of 2,” with the family ID number on both bags. Please mark your bag even if you only have one bag to give.
STEP 5: Drop Off Your Donations by The End of November
Please drop off your gifts and donations at our office (866 Dundas Street) on weekdays between Monday, November 4th until Thursday, November 28th, from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. If you can’t get to us by November 28th, we will have one more sponsor drop-off date in mid-December.
Our volunteers will be packing and delivering gifts to approximately 100 families each day, in the intervening weeks, so it is very important that your donations be dropped off by November 28th.
However, we understand that this is the busiest time of year for many people and businesses. If you are not able to drop off your donations by November 28th, we will also be open Saturday, December 13th, from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, just for our sponsors to drop off their gifts.
Monetary Donations
E-Transfer
Donors who request that their name not be publicly released, shall remain anonymous.
Cash, Gift Cards, and Cheques
In-Person Drop-Off:
Please use the mail slot in the door, at 866 Dundas Street.
If you choose to mail your donation, or bring it to our office in person, please include your full name and mailing address, so we can send your Charitable Tax Receipt in February.
If you plan on mailing your donation, please send it to:
LIFE*SPIN at P.O. Box 2801, London, ON N6A 4H4.
Online Through CanadaHelps
Click the button below to donate through our CanadaHelps page.
You can print your Charitable Tax Receipt directly from the site, so you don't need to worry about mailing in your receipts later.
Your Generosity 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
“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!”
— Shannon T.
“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
Volunteer Delivery Drivers Wanted!
Businesses & Organizations are welcome to apply!
Our volunteer drivers are the unsung heroes of our Christmas Program! Drop off gifts at family’s homes based on your schedule, beginning at the end of November.
Please note that delivering gifts is easier for those with more space in their cars, and while working in teams of at least 2 people.
To become a delivery driver, please contact us at life@execulink.com for more information.
During Christmas 2023…
Over 4,000 Children in 1,400 Families
received gifts and grocery gift cards for Christmas.
were created by our staff to keep the delivery drivers organized and efficient during their drop-off trips to families’ homes.
Over 30 Delivery Routes
Over 450 Christmas Sponsors
signed up to help give local low-income families in London a happier, brighter holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions - Donors
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Please DO NOT leave your donations outside of our office! All donors must hand their donations to a LIFE*SPIN Staff member or volunteer.
We appreciate our sponsors for putting in their time and effort into buying and bagging their donations for us, so we would also like to thank you for your donation!
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If you can't drop off your gifts during our open hours (Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM), we also have a Donation Drop-Off Day on Saturday, December 14. We will be open from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, so you will have plenty of time to drop off your donations. This is the only day that we will be open on a Saturday.
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If you've lost your family's ID number, please check your email and find the message we sent you with your family's wishlist information. If you deleted the email, check your inbox's Trash folder.
If you cannot find your ID number, please note who's name was on the sponsorship form, and we can look it up when you arrive to drop off your gifts.
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Our Christmas Program is primarily a program for children between the ages of 0-18, so you do not have to buy presents for the parents. However, you are welcome to include a small gift, such as a box of chocolates, if you choose.
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Sponsors may provide wrapping paper with their donations, if they choose, adding the wrapping paper in the garbage bags with the gifts.
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We do not give out any information to the families about who their sponsor is. You can read our Privacy Policy here.
Charitable Tax Receipts
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 in February of the following year.
Please send us your receipts by December 31st.
If you would like a Charitable Tax Receipt, please include the original receipts for everything you have purchased (you may keep a copy for your records). We can only provide Charitable Tax Receipts, based on your original donations or cash donations. Please note that we cannot issue the receipt for the HST portion of the gifts you have purchased.
If you have questions or issues with your Tax Receipt, please Contact Us during our open hours.