While you’re racing around finishing up your Christmas shopping, take a moment to consider the possibility of making a charitable donation and sharing your good fortune with others. There are many worthy causes. Here are a few for your consideration.

•    The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund provides gift boxes to 45,000 needy children.
•    The Scott Mission provides shelter for 45 men each night, serves meals daily, provides free clothing for the needy, serves 40,000 each year through their food bank, and provides free toys for children.
•    CP24/CHUM Christmas Wish supports individuals and families with your financial donations and new unwrapped toys.
•    Variety, The Children’s Charity in Ontario works with young people with disabilities providing integrated sports and life skills programs, and applied research and learning programs.
•    World Vision Canada allows you to purchase the basic necessities for children in need from their online catalogue - a sheep costs $150, an HIV and AIDS care kit costs $60.
•    UNICEF Canada supports the neediest children around the world.
•    Daily Bread Food Bank provides food relief programs, such as food banks and meal programs, in addition to advocacy support in resolving issues that may accompany hunger like access to social benefits, housing, immigration, and employment.
•    North York Harvest Food Bank encourages you to donate financially or drop off a non-perishable food donation to any fire hall, Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, or Fortinos in northern Toronto.
•    The Salvation Army serves nutritious meals to seniors, shelters homeless families, helps men and women overcome addictions, provides after-school programs, and sends inner-city children to summer camp.
•    Canadian Red Cross helps Canadians and people around the world affected by disasters.
•    Goodwill helps fund job training and other career services that help people become successful at work. In 2007, Goodwill was able to serve 1.1 million people.