Operation December Spirit

Dani Wawryk
December 13, 2021

‘Tis the season Vendasta. Candles are lit, kitchens are full of the smell of baking, and the Canadian Tire holiday and toy aisles are packed with mucky winter boots and wide-eyed shoppers.

Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or simply reflecting on the past year, we can all agree: December is a wonderful time to give back.

It also represents the last month of our fiscal year, and as we review our Community Support budget, we’ve noticed that there’s a lot left to give! Specifically in respect to our Employee Matching and Employee Volunteer Hours.

Did you know Vendasta will match your charitable donations up to $100? Or that you have four hours of volunteer time you’re encouraged to use every year?

It’s true!

With only a few days left in 2021, you might be looking for ways to make the most of these two options to show a lil’ Community Spirit to the communities in which you work and live.

We curated this list of potential donation and volunteer opportunities for you to consider. All of them align with our Charitable Focuses!

Volunteer Opportunities:

Care & Share Volunteer Opportunities at St. Mark School

Vendasta Charitable Focus: Kids & Families in Need

Vendasta supports Care & Share Saskatoon, which aims to make life better for children in the city. They're looking for volunteers to help with two endeavours before the holiday break (last day is Dec. 17):

1. Distribute grocery gift cards for families in need: This one is easy! Sign up, and go to the school for your time slot with proof of vaccination and a mask. They'll be happy to help you in the office! Your volunteer time consists of you distributing the grocery gift cards to the families who applied. COVID-19 precautions are in place.

2. Read stories to kids: Another fun one to participate in! Sign up by picking a classroom and a time on the form (any time that fits within school hours, aside from recess and lunch), and go at your requested time to read stories.

Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign

Vendasta Charitable Focus: Kids & Families in Need

Most of us are familiar with the jingle of bells in malls across the country. Every year, volunteers put on their holiday best and post up outside of popular spots in Saskatoon to raise money for the Salvation Army. The Kettle Campaign is the organization’s largest fundraiser, and it’s an opportunity for the public to donate whatever funds they can to support the charity’s work. Funds help support local children and families in need through various programs, including Christmas Hampers, Back-to-School Program, Food on the Move, and more. All donations made locally remain within Saskatoon.

To become a Christmas Kettle Campaign Bell Ringer, email info@salvationarmy.org or use this form.

Glow Saskatoon

Vendasta Charitable Focus: Kids & Families in Need

Every year, one of the halls at Prairieland Park becomes Glow, a beautiful and relaxing display of holiday lights, music, vendors, and food. Proceeds from Glow go to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. They need volunteers until Dec. 28. Does hanging out in a magical wonderland in support of sick kids and their families sound appealing to you? You can email stacie@pattisonchildrens.ca or call 306-931-9683 to find a shift that works for you.

Girls Who Code

Vendasta Charitable Focus: STEM Education

Did you know that women make up 50% of the Canadian workforce but less than 25% of STEM jobs? Let’s close that gap! You can use your volunteer time to start a chapter or support an existing chapter for Girls Who Code in Saskatoon. Get some friends together and make a difference in 2021!

You can submit an application or find other local chapters here. You might also consider donating, though the donations go to the UK-based national body (no tax receipt).

Donation options:

Camp Easter Seal

Vendasta Charitable Focus: Kids & Families in Need

This may be a great way to daydream if you’re longing for long summer days on Saskatchewan lakes. Camp Easter Seal is looking for people to start individual fundraisers to raise money for their summer camp for kids with disabilities. There are no goals or expectations outside of what you’d set for yourself. Here’s an example of what one of those fundraising pages looks like. You can use your volunteer hours to set up your page and promote the cause, and put the Employee Matching program to work as well!

Adopt-a-Family

Vendasta Charitable Focus: Kids & Families in Need

Though registrations are now closed for Adopt-a-Family, which benefits families in need during the holidays in Saskatoon, you can still donate to make people’s holidays brighter! 

Make your donation here. 

Secret Santa Hampers

Vendasta Charitable Focus: Kids & Families in Need

Similar to Adopt-a-Family, Saskatoon Secret Santa provides holiday hampers of food and toys to families in need. There’s still time to make a financial impact by donating on their website.

Ignite a Little Sparkle

Vendasta Charitable Focus: Kids & Families in Need

Big Brothers Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatoon is looking to raise $25,000 for programs and matching new mentors to kids in need in Saskatoon. They’re halfway there! Help them reach their goal and support boys and girls in need here. 

Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre

Vendasta Charitable Focus: Kids & Families in Need

Would you know if your neighbour was hungry? Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre is working to help stock fridges and freezers at all times of the year. Donate, or gather up some of their most needed food items using your remaining volunteer hours.

Computers for Schools

Vendasta Charitable Focus: STEM Education

The SaskTel Pioneers volunteer to raise funds and refurbish computers and tablets for schools in need in Saskatchewan. If you want to help get new equipment into kids' hands, donate now.

Sask Polytech Student Support

Vendasta Charitable Focus: STEM Education

Every year, students who would otherwise not be able to attend Sask Polytech get the chance to pursue their dreams with help from a student award. It’s donations from people like YOU that keep those dreams alive. Your gift can have an important and immediate impact on a student:

• $25 will help a student purchase school supplies

• $50 can help cover the cost of a textbook

• $100 is a bus pass that will get a student to school and home again for more than a month

Donate here. 

University of Saskatchewan Donor Support

Vendasta Charitable Focus: STEM Education

Did you attend the U of S for Commerce, Computer Science, Engineering, or another discipline? Do you have passion for helping others finish their programs, too? Donating to the U of S helps provide students with a world-class educational experience. Gifts from donors allow them to work with cutting-edge technology, study abroad, learn in state-of-the-art facilities and, above all, focus on their studies — not their finances.

Donations start at $50, and all are eligible for a tax receipt here.