Thanks to you, 45,000 kids will have a gift to open

Ho-ho-how many times can we say thank you!

Once again, the Toronto Star’s annual Santa Claus Fund has delivered a treasured gift box to 45,000 kids under 12 across the Greater Toronto Area.

And once again, we couldn’t have done it without a veritable army of friends, supporters and volunteers.

“I am in awe of the generosity of the many people in the Greater Toronto Area who care deeply about their fellow citizens and who wish to help support families in need. At the Toronto Star, we are proud and fortunate to be able to act as a bridge at this time of year between those who have and those who are less fortunate,” said John Boynton, Torstar president and Toronto Star publisher.

“It’s one of the defining traditions of the Star,” Boynton added.

It starts with thousands of donors large and small who helped the Star raise the funds to provide gift boxes that come with a toy, a shirt, a hat, mitts, socks, a book, cookies and a toothbrush and toothpaste. All of the funds donated go directly to the purchase of the goodies, and administrative costs are borne by the Star.

At press time, the fund had raised $1,598,191 toward the $1.7-million goal. Donations will continue to be accepted until the end of 2019.

Then there are staff from about 130 social and community agencies, including Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program, who help us identify families in need and provide the names of deserving children. We focus on kids from low-income homes and in shelters in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Ajax and Pickering.

Next on the list is the seasonal staff at the central warehouse where the bounty is prepared and distributed — the best elves ever!

Then there are the scores of volunteers — both corporate and individual — who put in hundreds of hours to ensure the gifts are ready on time.

Depot sites across five municipalities provide free space for weeks from which the gift boxes are distributed to the families.

They include churches, fire stations, Toronto Community Housing sites, real estate offices and businesses like Smart Centres and Avison Young.

Last but not least are the multitude of volunteers who act as co-ordinators at our depots as well as those who make the deliveries right to the doors of eagerly awaiting children, including Scouts, Guides, church groups and others.

One last shout-out to our donors, who provide support in amounts large and small, private individuals, foundations, corporations and supporters of various fundraising events, including the Star’s annual Christmas Carol Concert.

It’s a collective effort in the best spirit of the season that brings joy to thousands of young people.