Christmas can be a difficult time of year for many children. Not all of them are fortunate to be healthy and brought up in caring, loving families. There are many wonderful organizations in Toronto that are devoted to the health and well being of our children. As we have already spoken about donating to the ChumCity Christmas Wish, the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, The Toronto Star’s Santa Claus Fund, and the Salvation Army, here is another list of the top five children’s charities in Toronto worthy of your consideration.

The Sick Kids Foundation motto is that “Every child deserves to be healthy”. Your generosity has allowed the Sick Kids Foundation to provide world class medical care to 100,000 children every year. Please follow the link below and give generously.

http://www.sickkidsfoundation.org/

Toronto’s Ronald McDonald House is a much needed home away from home for families living out of town with seriously ill, hospitalized children. Children need their families with them, particularly sick, frightened, hospitalized children. The Ronald McDonald House in Toronto has 28 bedrooms, each with a private bathroom. Families staying in the house have access to common rooms - kitchen, dining room, family room, playroom, and laundry facilities. Please help keep families together during a most difficult time in their lives. Follow the link below for more information.

http://www.rmhtoronto.org/

Covenant House cares for the homeless youth among us. Many of us don’t realize that homelessness affects youth as well as adults. Sadly, the primary causes of youth homelessness are domestic violence, sexual abuse, or neglect. This Christmas as many as 122 youths will be spending Christmas, not with family and friends, but at Covenant House. Follow the link below to find out how you can help.

http://www.covenanthouse.on.ca/Public/Default.aspx?I=839&n=Home+for+Christmas

The Children’s Wish Foundation grants wishes to seriously ill children with life-threatening illnesses. In the last 20 years over 12,000 wishes have been fulfilled, bringing unspeakable joy to children who otherwise would have very little to look forward to. Please follow the link below and see how you can help.

http://www.childrenswish.ca/index_2007.php/en/welcome

President’s Choice Children’s Charity helps children who are physically or developmentally challenged with financial assistance to purchase mobility equipment, physical therapy, and more. Since its conception in 1989 over $21,000,000 has been raised and over 4,200 families provided with much needed assistance. To find out more about this wonderful charity follow the link below.

http://www.presidentschoice.ca/ChildrensCharity/