The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund was established in 1906 by Toronto Star Founder, Joseph E. Atkinson. Atkinson knew of poverty first-hand. His father was killed in a tragic accident when he was six months old. Left with eight young children to raise, his mother struggled to support the family.
It was a very special Christmas in Atkinson's own childhood that brought out his dedication to help the poor. As the story goes, one day young Joseph was watching other children skate on the pond. A lady approached and asked him why he wasn't skating. When she heard his sad tale, she bought him his first pair of skates for Christmas. Atkinson never forgot the warmth and generosity of the stranger who made this Christmas Day the happiest of his childhood.
Years later, Atkinson used The Toronto Star Newspaper to tell readers the stories of other needy children. He asked readers to contribute money, which was used to buy approximately 100 Christmas gifts. The gifts of fruit, candy, socks and mitts were distributed through his local Toronto church, Little Trinity. This tradition lives on with a Toronto Star reporter still writing daily articles about the plight of needy children prior to the holidays.
The gift packages may have changed with the times but the basic concept remains. Today, bright gift boxes are filled with a sweater, socks, mittens, hat, book, toy, cookies and dental hygiene kit. The merchandise is purchased at significant cost savings. Therefore, only cash contributions can be accepted, not donations of product or services-in-kind. Great consideration is given to each item purchased for the gift box -- quality, style, safety, value, variety, and all items reflect age, not gender.
For the first time in its history, The Toronto Star Claus Fund expanded its services in 2002 to assist families in Brampton and Mississauga, as well as Toronto. In 2004, the program expanded yet again to help children in Ajax and Pickering. To help raise funds, the Toronto Star, The Brampton Guardian, The Mississauga News and The Ajax-Pickering News Advertiser feature regular stories in their papers during the holidays.
Children’s names are submitted to the Santa Claus Fund by Ontario Works and more than 100 other social service agencies in Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Ajax and Pickering. Just as they were in 1906, the gift boxes are still delivered to the homes of the children by volunteers such as church groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, etc. More than one century later, the generosity of our readers continues to make the holidays a little bit happier for 50,000 less-fortunate children!
The 2022 Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund goal is $1.5 million.
We are able to provide a tax receipt for donations over $10. If you donate online via our secure form receipts are instantly and automatically generated. If you donate over the phone or by mail, receipts are provided at the end of each campaign and may be mailed or emailed.
The Toronto Star Children's Charities: Charitable Registration #11926 7425 RR0001