4 Ways to Support Ernestine’s This Holiday Season
Your Gift Will Make the Season Brighter for Survivors of Violence
We believe in celebrating milestone moments at Ernestine’s, so we put a lot into making the holiday season special for the individuals and their children we support—and we’re fortunate to have an incredible community of donors who make this possible every year.
While this season is challenging for our clients, emotionally and financially, your generous contributions help to bring a little wonder, joy and comfort into their lives. It’s a gift beyond measure.
If you’re in a position to help, here are five ways you can make this holiday season brighter for the individuals and families we support at Ernestine’s.
1. Make a Cash Donation
Your gift of a monetary donation provides crucial funding for the life-changing support that empowers individuals and their children to rebuild their lives with resilience, dignity and renewed hope. Here’s how your donation can have an immediate impact:
$50 Baby/Toddler Kit—provides a parent with essentials for their little one
$100 Food Bank Support—helps keep our shelves stocked with non-perishable food items
$250 Warm Winter Clothes—ensures a survivor of violence has a warm coat, boots, hat, gloves and scarf for the cold weather
$1,000 New Start Kit—sets a family up with the things they need for their new home
When you give a cash donation, it allows us to put your generous gift where it’s needed most this holiday season.
2. Host a Holiday Fundraiser
If you’re looking for a creative way to support Ernestine’s this holiday season—and maybe bring together some of your favourite people while you’re at it—consider organizing a holiday fundraiser.
You could host a dinner party, clothing swap, cookie exchange, or crafternoon with your favourite people. Or you could organize a recreational hockey game at the local rink or work with your gym to offer a fitness class in support of Ernestine’s.
If you’re more of a homebody, there are plenty of solo fundraising options, too. You could offer up your talents in exchange for a donation to Ernestine’s—think anything from holiday baking to gift shopping or gift wrapping. Or you could create a virtual fundraiser on social media, encouraging followers to give to Ernestine’s.
3. Gift Securities to Ernestine’s
If you’re looking for a tax-smart way to support Ernestine’s this holiday season, one of the best ways may be donating securities.
When you donate publicly traded securities, you’ll not only get a charitable tax receipt for the value of your donation, but you’ll also avoid the capital gains tax you would have paid had you sold the securities and then donated the proceeds. Before donating securities, we recommend you speak with your financial advisor to ensure it’s the right choice for your financial and philanthropic goals.
“Your generous donation will help to bring a little wonder, joy and comfort to our clients. It’s a gift beyond measure.”
4. Donate Gift Cards
Many of the families who turn to Ernestine’s struggle with the high cost of living once they find a safe home in the community. It’s especially challenging to stretch a tight budget at this time of year, so one of the best ways you can help our outreach clients have a happy holiday season is by donating gift cards.
Grocery store gift cards help families stretch their food budget, so they can get everyday staples and the essentials for a nice holiday dinner. Meanwhile, a gift card to a store like Giant Tiger or Walmart offers flexibility, allowing parents to pick up groceries alongside a few gifts for the kids, like sweets, a cozy blanket, or a stuffie. Other gift cards that make a big difference for families at this time of year include Amazon, Dollarama, Tim Hortons, Rexall, and Shoppers Drug Mart.
When you donate a gift card this holiday season, you’re giving so much more than the funds on them. You’re giving our clients the agency and dignity that comes with being able to choose and purchase groceries, toiletries, treats, and gifts for their kids. That’s priceless.
However you choose to support Ernestine’s, your kind gift will help make this holiday season brighter and more joyful for the women, individuals and families who count on us. Thank you for giving so generously, and happy holidays!
To learn more about how you can help, please visit our Support Us page