All cultures can appreciate Santa
Families from around globe who now live in Canada can embrace spirit of giving
Many immigrants come from countries without a chimney and the idea of a fat guy in a red suit who jumps down one with a bag of presents for kids may seem bizarre.
But now these women and their families — who have immigrated from countries such as Nigeria, Somalia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and more — are in Canada and their children are growing up in a country that embraces the magical myth of Santa Claus and giftgiving at this time of year.
Many are also living in tough economic circumstances and that’s where the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund and agencies such as the Riverdale Immigrant Women’s Centre at 1326 Gerrard St. E., can help.
The centre tells its clients about the Santa Claus Fund boxes for children 12 and under, which are delivered every year by volunteers to 45,000 kids in Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Ajax and Pickering. Inside each box is a hat, mitts, socks, ageappropriate book and toy, a sweet treat and toothbrush and toothpaste.
This year, 65 children have been signed up for the gaily decorated Santa Fund boxes, says Manisha de Lanerolle, program co-ordinator for Riverdale Immigrant Women’s Centre, which annually helps hundreds of women and children access a wide range of settlement support and counselling programs, from health and anti-violence issues, to an eightweek Essential Pathways to Employment Program.
“Most of the families who signed up last year have been eagerly asking (about the boxes),” says de Lanerolle. “They say the kids love the gifts.”
The Fund is a “heartwarming resource to the immigrant and lowincome communities at this point of the year,” she says. One of the women who signed up this year has four children between one and 9. The family came from Pakistan about five years ago and they have been struggling to make ends meet as the father has a serious injury and may have to quit his general labour job.
“With this difficult situation . . . they cannot afford much,” says de Lanerolle.
“The gift boxes will be a huge welcome surprise for the children. The Santa Claus Fund gift is perfect for them.”
The Star’s Santa Claus Fund was started in 1906 by former publisher Joseph E. Atkinson who was raised by his widowed mother and knew poverty and hardship growing up.
He never forgot the kindness of a stranger who gave him a pair of skates as a child, when he could not afford them.
This year, the fund’s goal is $1.7 million. If you have been touched by the Santa Claus Fund or have a story to tell, please email santaclausfund@thestar.ca