‘Tis The Season of Giving at The Barrel Yards
Monday, December 6th, 2021
December 2021 is here and we are ready to celebrate the holiday season at The Barrel Yards! Beautiful holiday decor, shopping, and festivities aside – we are very proud of how our Uptown Waterloo community has truly pulled together over the last 2 years to drive support to our local KW small businesses, the people, and community groups behind them. In order to help continue to give back to our community, we’d like to take this opportunity to share with you our top picks for local causes to support this month and beyond in the spirit and season of giving.
Tree of Hope
Each year, the Family & Children’s Services Foundation runs their annual Holiday Support Program, aimed at brightening the holidays for children and youth in the Waterloo Region. This action gives children and families hope that carries on throughout the remainder of the year, far beyond the holiday season. Particularly with the pandemic intensifying issues faced by local KW families, we find that this great cause is near and dear to The Barrel Yard’s hearts and that we truly feel that we can make a difference by supporting initiatives such as this.
The 2021 Tree of Hope Campaign kicked off earlier in the season on October 27th and continues on until December 31, with a variety of events – including our favourite, the 12 Days of Hope Online Auction, running from December 5th-16th. Stay tuned into this incredible program by following along on their Facebook page and be sure to check out the Online Gifts of Hope Catalogue, available all season long in order to support this great local cause. Make a donationhere to support the Family & Children’s Services Foundation, or help by contributing to their Wishlist for this great charity and community support service.
Out of the Cold
Initially founded after the loss of a homeless man named George, who had been befriended by staff and students at St. Michael’s High School in Toronto – Out of the Cold (OOTC) was founded and developed to provide the homeless in our communities with a warm, and safe accommodation and nourishment within a quiet and welcoming atmosphere during the winter months. Although the Kitchener-Waterloo OOTC is now an evening program only, running from November into April – the need that this initiative serves within the community is profound. OOTC welcomes guests with dignity and respect and does not aim to preach or convert individuals on their path, but to simply treat them as invited guests, deserving of a safe, warm place, and good food within the cold winter months. Find the local locations here and connect with the Kitchener Waterloo branch of OOTC to support or volunteer.
Hope for the Holidays
We can’t forget about our furry friends this holiday season! The Humane Society of Kitchener & Waterloo is hosting their annual Hope for the Holidays campaign, which helps give a little extra love and attention to the animals receiving care during the holiday season. There are several ways for The Barrel Yards community to get involved or give back to the critters this season, including adoption programs, supporting through the Humane Society Wish List, or making a monetary donation. While you may not be able to open your doors to a new furry friend, you can make a difference this season by contributing to the care and needs of animals within the shelter and care programs.
Coldest Night of The Year
Since we all know that the season of need extends all year round, far beyond just the upcoming holidays, we are very big supporters of The Coldest Night of the Year, which is a family-friendly fundraising walk that supports local charities and partners who provide essential care and service for people experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger. The upcoming event will take place on February 26, 2022, where individuals can get involved in one of two ways – an In-Person Walk or a Virtual-Walk! Barring any Covid complications, most physical locations will be hosting an organized, in-person event – complete with 2km + 5km signed routes, rest stops, volunteers, and snacks! The Virtual Walk will welcome virtual fundraisers who self-organize either with friends or individually, walking any day in February on a route they choose.
Register to fundraise here (free to register!), or make a donation to an individual or team to support this great local KW cause. By joining together on February 26, and walking in the cold, individuals in our community will feel a hint of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness during winter – and by fundraising, you’ll contribute much-needed funds to a charity in our local Kitchener Waterloo region that will bring hope and help to people in our community in need.
We hope that you’ve found a great local cause to help support within this list of local charities – however the options are truly limitless for ways that we can give right from our own beautiful location at The Barrel Yards. Find an extensive list of community organizations, causes, volunteer opportunities, and charities in need within this list from the Social Development Centre Waterloo Region website and keep an eye out around The Barrel Yards for extra cheer, goodwill, and beautiful holiday wishes from our team and family, to yours. Happy holidays and we will see you next time on the blog!
