By Bailey Telo, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The United Way Halton and Hamilton (UWHH) Holiday Helping Hand program has helped make an impact on families and individuals in need of support this holiday season via volunteer opportunities, fulfilling holiday wishes, and collecting food, clothes, and gifts for those who could do with that extra helping hand this year.
The challenges have been particularly intense this year, with increasing numbers of people requiring support, be it in putting food on the table, purchasing Christmas gifts for their children, or paying their rent.
“The weight of economic challenges, housing and food insecurity, and mental health struggles have deepened the need in our community, putting our agency partners under significant strain,” said Brad Park, President and CEO of UWHH.
UWHH and 14 local social service agencies came together to help brighten the lives of many by engaging members of the community to volunteer for the cause. Twelve holiday projects were included in this year’s Holiday Helping Hand program, with more than 105 volunteer opportunities available. Generous volunteers came together to help put together food bags for Food for Life Halton and Hamilton and assembling stockings for Community Living Burlington.
The UWHH Community Donation Warehouse was transformed into a local outpost of Santa’s workshop, with community members dropping off gifts and necessities for their fellow community members in need, and agency partners coming by to pick up those donations for distribution. Then came the OPP Toy Drive, held at a Hamilton Toys R Us, where officers and volunteers collected over $32,500 worth of toys to give to kids in Halton and Hamilton for the holidays.
Thanks to UWHH, over 112 local families and individuals of all ages were supported by the program.
“The Holiday Helping Hand Program has a profound impact on families in need by providing essential support during what can be an especially challenging time. The program brings joy and relief to families, fostering a sense of community and reminding everyone that, especially during the holidays, no one is alone in facing life’s challenges,” said UWHH’s Vice President Marketing & Communications Kristen Jacob.
According to a press release from UWHH, “Over 68% of the 106 United Way-supported programs have reported a substantial surge in demand, underscoring the pressing nature of the challenges faced by our community.”
The prevalence of waitlists among nearly half of the programs supported by UWHH emphasizes the ongoing challenges for individuals and families searching for critical support. And despite the increase in demand for services, over 60% of local agencies surveyed recently by McMaster and UWHH were struggling to acquire funding and noticing that needs are now “more urgent and complex.” For a community still recovering from the pandemic, added pressures like inflation and other economic issues contribute to the increase in poverty rates and thus, the need for services.
Those who volunteered for the Holiday Helping Hand program or delivered their food or toy donations are helping to address the discrepancy between funding and need.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of supporting the Holiday Helping Hand Program is witnessing the incredible generosity and compassion of our community members. The program brings together people from all walks of life, united in the spirit of giving. Seeing the joy on the faces of families as they receive support and witnessing the selflessness of our volunteers who come together to make a difference — that sense of community and solidarity is truly heartwarming,” Jacob added.
You can still donate to the UWHH Local Love Community Match Initiative this holiday season directly on their website. For every four dollars donated, one dollar will be matched by charitable community members and organizations.
Sources:
United Way Halton and Hamilton. 2023, December 18. United Way Halton & Hamilton Delivers Holiday Joy and Support through Holiday [Press release].
United Way Halton and Hamilton. 2023. United Way Halton and Hamilton Partners with McMaster University to Assess Nonprofits’ Capacity Building Needs. Halton/Hamilton.
