The first Christmas in Canada is especially hard for refugees who have fled their home country to escape persecution and violence. You can give the gift of HOPE and HEALING this Christmas by ensuring that a refugee family has presents under the tree.
The need this year has been absolutely overwhelming and we can honestly say that your sponsorship will ensure that these families have presents under the tree for their first Christmas in Canada.
The following sponsorship budgets are recommended to help ensure each family receives a equitable amount:
- Single Person: $50
- Families: $50 per parent + $50 for each child
i.e. $100 total for a single parent / 1-child family,
$200 total for a 2-parent / 2-child family,
$300 total for a 2 parent / 4-child family, etc.
Note: If these budget recommendations do not work for you, gift cards are a wonderful alternative to traditional sponsorship. All types of gift cards are welcome - for department stores (e.g. Walmart, Giant Tiger), grocery stores (e.g. Metro/Food Basics), Gift cards for entertainment or dining out are also welcome, as these are luxuries that our families rarely or never experience. Maximum denominations of $25 .00 per gift card are ideal - feel free to donate a single card or multiple cards, whatever your budget allows.
How Christmas Sponsorship Works
- Determine your budget level and we will match you with a family.
- Receive your customized wish list for each child. It will give details of the gender, age, sizes and interests of the family members. You are not obligated to buy everything on the list.
- We request gift cards for all adults.
- Go shopping. All items should be new and in original wrapping. No used items, please.
- There is no need to wrap the presents, but we kindly ask that you provide all the required supplies (i.e. paper, bags, bows, tape). Allowing parents the experience of wrapping their children's presents is a gift in itself.
- Please label all bags/boxes with family last name and age/gender of family member the gift is for.
- Presents should be delivered to Matthew House by December 15th. This gives us time to make sure everything is in order and to arrange delivery. Sponsors are only able to deliver directly to families where we have received consent due to confidentiality reasons.
- Enjoy your Christmas, knowing that you have given the gift of Christmas to someone else.
If you wish to spend more than $50 per person, we suggest that you purchase gift cards as this will enable us to ensure that each family receives approximately the same amount.