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FAQs


For more information on the Children’s Aid Foundation please visit our website at www.cafdn.org

If you have any questions about the Surrogate Santa Program, please call Elizabeth Callahan at
(416) 923-0924 x224
or email surrogatesanta@cafdn.org

Home > How You Can Help > Other Ways to Give > Secret Santa > FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the families and youth benefiting from the Children’s Aid Foundation Secret Santa program?

  • The families served by the Secret Santa program are the most disadvantaged in our communities and are served by child welfare organizations in the GTA. These children come from families where abuse, neglect, poverty, violence, homelessness and substance abuse are a part of their daily lives. The harsh reality of these circumstances hits harder at certain times of the year, and no more so than during the holiday season. For families who struggle to meet day-to-day needs, the holidays bring additional stress as they try to provide gifts and better food for their children.

  • The youth living independently are young men and women from the ages of 15-24 who are transitioning away from the care of child welfare agencies like the Children’s Aid and are setting out on their own with little financial, family or social support. The holidays can be a very isolating and disheartening time of year for these youth.




How can I become a Secret Santa?

Sponsor a Family or Youth
  1. Sign up here to participate by November 18, 2011 or contact Danielle Dewar at ddewar@cafdn.org or call 416-923-0924 x 247. Please mention any preferences regarding the size or composition of your family or youth when you sign up.
  2. Once you sign up, we will match you with a family or youth who needs help this holiday season and we will email you the details.
  3. Drop off your unwrapped gifts to the Children’s Aid Foundation during the drop off dates. The deadline for drop offs is Monday, December 12, 2011.
  4. Have fun shopping!
Give gift cards
  • Help families and youth shop for what they need by providing gift cards from major retailers.
  • Mail gift cards to the Children’s Aid Foundation at 25 Spadina Road, Toronto ON M5R 2S9. Please ensure that cards arrive at the Foundation by Monday, December 12, 2011.
  • Your donated gift cards will be given directly to participating agencies to help families and youth in need.
Fundraise Online

Join our online personal fundraising campaign by reaching out to your friends and families for support!

STEP 1: Set a goal for the number of families or youth you would like to support or the amount of money you would like to raise
STEP 2: Develop a personal web page on our website
STEP 3: Email your personal web page to friends and family
STEP 4: Your contacts are then able to make direct donations on-line to help families in need
STEP 5: Watch the money grow!

All funds that you raise will be directed to agencies who serve families and youth in need.

Give a donation
  • Online: make a donation by clicking here
  • Mail: 25 Spadina Road, Toronto ON M5R 2S9. Cheques should be made payable to the “Children’s Aid Foundation” with a note re: Secret Santa. Please send cheques only.
  • Phone: call Danielle at 416-923-0924 ext 247.
Your gifts will be given directly to participating agencies to help the families and youth they serve.



How much does it cost to sponsor a family?

All gifts for the Secret Santa program are greatly appreciated. The complete price for fulfilling a family’s or youth’s holiday wishes may vary but here is a list of what your contributions can provide:
  • $250 will provide a holiday meal and gifts for a family of four
  • $100 will provide a holiday meal for a family
  • $50 will purchase a gift for a young person on their own this holiday season




Must I purchase every item on the family’s wish list?

Wish lists act as guidelines to help you better shop for these families and youth. You are not obligated to purchase every item on the list.



Can I purchase food items?

  • No. We cannot accept any food items, canned or perishable. Including food in gifts makes it harder for us to store gifts and distribute them to the families in need.
  • Any donations for holiday meals should be made gift cards for major grocery stores. When possible, the profile will note the stores that are most accessible to the families your donations will support.




Can I give used items?

We ask that you give only new items. Used items such as toys or clothes will not be accepted. The Secret Santa program gives families and youth the opportunity to receive something special and new.



Why make a cash donation?

You may not have time to shop for a family or youth but you can still help through monetary donations. Your gift will be given directly to participating agencies to help families and youth in need.



If I decide to sponsor a family, will I have the opportunity to meet them?

Due to confidentiality and privacy legislation, donors are not allowed to meet the children and families they sponsor.



Can I wrap the gifts?

No. We ask that gifts be unwrapped as we need to count and catalogue all items for auditing and taxation purposes. As well, unwrapped gifts help us to ensure that the appropriate donations are delivered to their intended families. Gift bags are encouraged.



Where and when do I drop off my gifts?

Please drop off all gifts at the Children’s Aid Foundation, located at 33 Spadina Road, Toronto. We are located slightly north of Spadina and Bloor. You may drop them off anytime from now until Monday, December 12, 2011 at 6pm. The drop off times are:
Wed, Dec. 7, 2011 (9am-8pm)
Thurs, Dec. 8, 2011 (9am-8pm)
Fri, Dec. 9, 2011 (9am-8pm)
Sat, Dec. 10, 2011 (12-5pm)
Sun, Dec. 11, 2011 (12-5pm)
Mon, Dec. 12, 2011 (9am-8pm)


Who delivers the gifts to the families and how do I know whether the family actually receives my gifts/donation?

The Children’s Aid Foundation ensures that all donations and gifts are distributed to the children and families for whom they are intended. The Foundation subscribes to the Donor Bill of Rights, Code of Ethical Principles and Standards of Professional Practice and the Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code (Imagine Canada) and is accountable for its actions. Since we have a separate endowment fund covering our administrative expenses, 100% of donations we receive are directed to programs having a direct impact on the children and families we serve.



Can I write cards for the family?

Absolutely! Feel free to write a personalized card to the family/child you are sponsoring. Please do not seal the envelope.



Do I get a charitable gift receipt for my donation?

Yes. As a registered charity with Revenue Canada, we are able to issue official charitable gift receipts. Receipts will be issued for in-kind gifts or cash donations exceeding $10.00. Original store receipts must accompany all in-kind donations. Donors are encouraged to photocopy their receipts before dropping gifts off to the Foundation.



When will I receive my charitable gift receipt?

You should expect to receive your charitable gift receipts by the end of January.



Can my group be receipted for the gifts we contribute?

Yes, a group can be receipted for the gifts. You need to provide the itemized receipt from the stores and also a list of each donor participating, how much each donor contributed and each donor’s mailing address.



Can I request someone else’s name on the receipt?

No. Receipts cannot be issued for a gift made by one person or company, who then requests the charitable gift receipt go to someone else, (eg. “My company cheque is for $500 but can the receipt go in my name?” “I’m donating $50 but I want the receipt in my sister’s name”). Receipts can only go to the actual donor of the gift.



Will my company receive a charitable gift receipt?

Official numbered charitable gift receipts are for individuals only. Companies are given a “Gift Acknowledgement” for their accounting purposes.



What if I have more questions?

Please call the Secret Santa hotline at 416-923-3348 x 224, email us at secretsanta@cafdn.org or contact the Secret Santa Coordinators, Danielle Dewar at 416-923-0924 x 247 or Rebecca Green at 416-923-0924 x 235 if you have further questions.




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