Holiday Sharing
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and every year our generous community of supporters helps make the holidays brighter for countless families and children.
Moorelands Kids is committed to being part of a child’s journey throughout the year, from summer adventures at camp to new opportunities in our City programs, and the joy and support that Holiday Sharing brings during the holiday season. Each part of this journey helps children and families feel supported, connected and cared for in every season.
Holiday Sharing spreads joy to families during the holidays, providing relief to parents and putting smiles on the faces of children and teens.
Join their journey. Your support helps make these year-round experiences possible.
Ways to Give Back
Adopt A Family
Sign up to shop for gifts for children who attend our programs. Applications to Adopt a Family in 2026 will open soon.
“From the bottom of my heart, I want to give you a big thanks for your gifts. You will be putting a big smile on my children’s faces. It has been tough, but this new year will be a new beginning and the start are these gifts for my children.”
– Holiday Sharing Family
Important Info About Holiday Sharing
Moorelands Kids may be able to provide a charitable tax receipt for the gifts you purchase. If you would like a charitable tax receipt, you must:
- keep the original purchase receipts for each gift
- fill out our online form
- bring in the purchase receipts with your gifts.
Due to CRA guidelines, purchase receipts will not be accepted after the gifts have been dropped off.
For more information about tax receipts, click here.
At Moorelands Kids we respect the dignity of the families we serve. That’s why our Holiday Sharing is anonymous. If you wish to connect more closely with the family you are adopting, please feel free to include a special message to them (please keep your names, or your group anonymous as well). Moorelands will ensure the message is delivered. The message is meant as an opportunity, not as an expectation.
Detailed gift-giving guidelines will be provided once you sign up but here is a general overview: For each child age 16 and under you will be asked to provide:
- Hats and waterproof mitts/gloves
- Games, activity, toy or gift card
- Holiday treats (chocolates or sweets)
(Typically this will cost up to $100 per child, depending on the age)
- Grocery gift cards – $100 for a family of 2 and an additional $25 for each additional member (a family of 3 would receive $125, a family of 4 would receive $150)
It’s exciting to help others and sometimes we’re tempted to “make this holiday the best ever.” Please be fair and follow the guidelines. Many recipient families know each other and all pick up their packages at the Moorelands holiday “warehouse.” To the extent possible, we’d like our families to receive gifts of comparable value. We do check deliveries to ensure that each child has age-appropriate gifts and the grocery gift card amount matches the family size. If you are inspired to do more, please consider adopting an additional family or sponsor a child to attend another Moorelands’ program such as Moorelands Camp or one of our City programs.
Drop-off Dates:
Once you have successfully applied to adopt-a-family, we will assign you a date to drop off your gifts. We will try our best to give you a drop off date based on your application form preferences.
Drop-off Times:
Drop off times are between 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- Organize your plan – get your family or group together
- Complete the online application (act fast since we have a limited number of families available)
- We will contact you within a week of receiving your application, assign you a family or families as requested and provide the information you will need
- Go shopping, pack the unwrapped gifts for your family/families and complete the packing slip
- Deliver the boxes (or have them delivered by courier) to the drop-off location in Toronto on your scheduled date. You will be notified by email where this is.
- Feel great about helping families in need and for inspiring others to get involved!
- We’ll organize time/dates for the families to pick up their gifts
Info for Families Seeking Support
Moorelands Kids Holiday Sharing serves families whose children have attended our camp or participated in multiple Festive Friday programs in the current year (2026). If your child/children attended our camp, please note that applications for support must be in by October 6th. If you have lost the paper application to receive Holiday Sharing support, please contact us.
If your child/children did not attend our camp and you need support this holiday season, the Child and Youth Winter Gift Program opens early November. Please contact 311 for further support.
Please check out our other programs than run throughout the year:
HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST YEAR
In 2025, the Moorelands Kids Holiday Sharing program supported 157 families!
Whether you adopted a family, donated to the Holiday Sharing program or volunteered with us, we thank you for your contribution. Together, we are filling the holidays with hope and happiness.
