5 ways to be someone's holiday angel

Goodwill is as intrinsic to the holidays as being around loved ones and opening gifts from under a twinkling tree on Christmas Day. But not everyone's Christmas is greeting-card perfect. Poor and underprivileged children and adults, whether elderly, abused or unwell — should have a happy holiday, too.

Many wouldn't enjoy their Christmas without the help of many angels like you, who graciously and selflessly lend a helping hand to ensure that everyone's Christmas is bright. Here are just a few ways to be someone's holiday angel:

1. The Salvation Army Santa Shuffle Fun Run and Elf Walk
Head out with your family and participate in this 5 k walk or run to raise money for the Salvation Army's Christmas Appeal. The funds raised will help families and individuals in need during the holidays as well as yearround. The run takes place on December 3rd in cities across Canada, including Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Halifax.

Visit www.salavationarmy.ca for more information. To make a donation by phone, call 1-800-sal-army or 1-800-725-2769.

2. Yonge Street Mission Christmas Ornament Extravaganza
Receive a gorgeous glass ornament that's personally engraved with your donation of $15, which goes directly to help fund several programs that assist the elderly, homeless youth, abused women, addiction recovery, meal programs and more. Jane Graham started the popular Ornament Extravaganza fund drive as part of her Los Silverados fundraising initiative for Toronto's Yonge Street Mission.

Los Silverados has 1,000 members from around the world with two things in common — they love motorcycles and they love to help those in need. "Our presence with the Christmas ornaments has created huge awareness of the Yonge Street Mission and its efforts to help the poor and disadvantaged in the city," explains Jane. A volunteer for 10 years, Jane says it is rewarding to see the direct results of everyone's hard work. "The folks at the Mission, both staff and folks who need the services, are like family — they welcome us in, they let us know what is important to them and they are very gracious and grateful. It has been a wonderful opportunity for me to help out."

Visit www.ysm.on.ca for more information.

3. Red Cross Hurricane relief
The recent onslaught of deadly hurricanes has created a critical need for cash donations. Natural disaster destinations such as Stephenville, in Western Newfoundland, Florida, New Orleans and Texas have been devastated by hurricanes such as Wilma, Rita and Katrina, leaving millions without homes, food and clothing. And then there is the tragic earthquake in Pakistan.

Volunteer Canada president, Marlene Deboisbriand says that there is a "heightened awareness around the Christmas season" with people wanting to assist the less fortunate. She adds that the recent outcry of assistance required by Red Cross agencies has seen an outpouring of generosity from the public wanting to help. "We certainly feel that there are a lot more calls at Volunteer Canada and have already made contact with organizations like The Red Cross and St. John's Ambulance and Salvation Army and others to make sure that we have a proper process to refer potential volunteers."

For more information, visit www.redcross.ca To donate by phone, call 1-800-418-1111. If you'd like your donation to go towards a specific relief effort, be sure to mention it to the operator.

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4. The Humane Society of Canada
Don't forget the animals. Make a donation to help in the animal relief efforts in areas shattered by the hurricanes. Consider adopting a cuddly dog or cat. It's certainly a gift that keeps on giving — for yourself or someone you know who really wants a pet and is committed to owning one.

Visit www.humanesociety.com for more information.

5. The United Way
Contact your local United Way if you would like to give a monetary donation but do not have a specific charity in mind. United Ways across Canada distribute funding to a network of social and health service agencies that assist troubled youth, isolated seniors, support abused women and their children, and help homeless and disabled people as well as new immigrants.

For more information, visit www.unitedway.ca.

The Christmas spirit is a generous and giving one. Remember that every one of us has an angel inside and it's often the simple, heartfelt acts of kindness that register the most around the holidays. Jessica Bonney, a social worker at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto suggests it's important to "give the gift of time" and to create the gift of memories. Goodwill simply begins with selfless intentions. "It really is about pausing to consider the needs of others and finding small ways to meet them," Bonney says.

The benefits of giving to others are plenty. "For many of us, the holiday season has become a stressful and commercial experience," adds Bonney. "People feel as though they have lost the true spirit of the holidays — that of love, kindness and compassion. Getting involved in the lives of others, either through community involvement or personal acts of kindness, allows us to reconnect with the true spirit of the holiday season. Volunteering also causes us to reflect on the fortunes of our own lives and can lead to a renewed sense of appreciation."