NEWS RELEASE
UNITED WAY HALTON AND HAMILTON
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This holiday season, United Way Halton & Hamilton has mobilized community support through its Holiday Helping Hand program, a powerful initiative bringing relief and hope to families and individuals in need.
With record-high poverty rates, escalating living costs, and increasing demand for services, this year has been one of the most challenging yet, and United Way has stepped up to provide essential support to meet these growing needs.
Thanks to the generosity of the community, the Holiday Helping Hand program provided approximately $150,000 in financial relief to 2425 community members.
Working alongside 24 local social service agencies, over 250 United Way coordinated volunteers helped fulfil holiday wish lists, and gathered essential items—including toys, clothing, and non-perishable food—for individuals and families struggling to meet even the most basic necessities. The support from compassionate community members has been vital in delivering warmth and stability to those facing significant hardship.
“This holiday season, United Way Halton & Hamilton is witnessing the highest increase in community needs we’ve ever seen, with more families facing poverty and limited access to essential services,” stated Brad Park, President and CEO of United Way Halton & Hamilton. “Rising costs and economic pressures are leaving many without basic necessities, making community support more critical than ever For many families, holiday wish lists this year are filled with requests for things like basic hygiene products, toiletries and food.”
This year, 224 families were supported through the Holiday Helping Hand program activities, including gift drives, family sponsorships, and festive workshops. From young families to seniors, individuals across Burlington, Halton Hills, Hamilton, Milton, and Oakville benefited from the program, ensuring that each received the support they needed to feel valued and cared for during a challenging season.
One highlight of this year’s program was the OPP Toy Drive at Toys"R"Us on Hamilton Mountain. With the OPP Mobile Command Centre on-site, community members were encouraged to fill the truck with toys, which will be distributed to children across Hamilton and Halton. This year’s Holiday Helping Hand toy drives raised over $30,000 worth of toys, a testament to the community’s enduring generosity.
"As a community, we are facing an unprecedented demand for support, with many of our United Way-supported programs experiencing record waitlists," said Brad Park. "This year’s Holiday Helping Hand program has been a tremendous success, and it wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and compassion of our community volunteers. Their contributions are making a real difference for families and individuals who otherwise might have faced the holidays with uncertainty and hardship."
It’s not too late to make a difference. The need for support extends beyond the holiday season—our community relies on United Way Halton & Hamilton’s programs all year long.
This year United Way is excited to share that the Local Love Community Match is back! For every $4 donated, an additional $1 is added to your gift by generous community members and organizations through the match program, maximizing the impact of each contribution. Together, this community can continue to extend a lifeline to those in need, ensuring that vital support is available to all.
Together, we can bring stability and hope to individuals and families who need it most. You can make an impact today by donating at uwhh.ca.
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