12 Days of Giving, December 1-12, 2022
Unite with us in Local Love this Holiday Season
Join us as we share a variety of creative ways to give back to your community and directly support those in need. We’ll offer opportunities to learn more about our community needs, share in ways to make someone’s day a little better, and donate to directly support local organizations, and people, in our community through United Way!
Proudly sponsored by Maglin Site Furniture, all monetary donations will be MATCHED, doubling your impact!
Give the Gift of Hope
Looking for something to get that special – hard to buy for – person in your life this holiday season? Why not share your Local Love and make a donation to United Way Oxford on their behalf? It’s a thoughtful gift that gives back by supporting a network of programs and services across Oxford County. Throughout the 12 Days of Giving, any Gift of Hope donations will be matched, doubling the impact of your donation. Donate here!
Day 1 – Learn
What better way to learn about the power of #LocalLove than to take a moment to watch our “Listen & Learn”. United Way Executive Director Kelly Gilson chats with some of our funded partners about the needs of our community, and how working together creates lasting, impactful change for thousands of people in Oxford County. https://unitedwayoxford.ca/virtual-seeing-is-believing-tour/
Day 2 – Share
The days are getting colder, and the nights even more so. There are many people in our community that struggle to stay warm in the cold winter season. Sharing a gift of some warm winter items like hats, mitts, scarves and boots, which can mean the difference between struggling and getting by. Today, swing by The Inn in Woodstock and donate winter warmth items.
Day 3 – Give
The power of timely, accessible mental health counselling is life-changing changing. And you have an opportunity to support an individual or family that needs someone to talk to. By making a donation of $50, you can help provide one free Walk-In Counselling session for individuals, youth and families in our community. Donate here!
Day 4 – Learn
The power of mentorship is something that changes a person forever. Whether you’re the young person receiving that support, or the one stepping up to offer your time and care, programs like Big Brother Big Sisters provide connections and relationships that have impact for years to come. Consider becoming a mentor and learn more by visiting: https://oxford.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/volunteer/
Day 5 – Share
Our Annual Online Auction is in full swing as of this morning! Be sure to check it out, and help our efforts by sharing it on your social media pages. Have a look at what there is to offer! Bid on a gift for someone, or find something for yourself! Either way, your generosity is going to help support the work of United Way Oxford! https://www.32auctions.com/UWOAuction2022
Day 6 – Give
United Way works to address the immediate, basic needs of today, while striving to reduce those needs in the future. With food security on the rise, we are seeing increased numbers of individuals and families accessing programs that provide healthy and affordable food. Consider making a $10 donation to provide someone in need with a meal this holiday season. Donate here!
Day 7 – Learn
Have you ever wondered how United Way does the work that we do? Check out this Seeing is Believing Tour where Kelly Gilson shares the methods of our work, and how our funding support thousands of people in our community, every year! https://youtu.be/vA-e-24wwz0
Day 8 – Share
There are many youth in our community that might not look forward to the holidays the same way their peers do, because of financial restraints and barriers. Please consider donating a new toy to Operation Sharing’s “The Christmas Place”, and help families that could use a little holiday cheer this season. 22 Wilson St, Woodstock.
Day 9 – Give
Every year we have more and more families that need some financial support with their return to school. Supplies are increasingly more expensive, and in 2022 we had the highest registration numbers yet for Oxford’s Supplies4Students program. Please consider a donation to help sponsor a student in Oxford County. Your donation of $50 will help provide them with some of the materials they needs to attend school prepared to learn. Donate here!
Day 10 – Learn
Our Community United Conversation Series is a great way to learn more about the needs and services in Oxford County. Each conversation focuses on a specific topic that touches our community, and United Way, along with a team of panelists from local organizations, chat about how this relates to Oxford County and how we can work together to make a difference.
Check out the series here: https://unitedwayoxford.ca/community-united-conversation/
Day 11 – Share
The holidays can be a lonely time for many people in our community. Today, take a moment to write a greeting card to a senior and deliver it to a local retirement home or nursing home. They would love to share those with people in their care that may be feeling isolated and alone this time of year. A thoughtful message can make all the difference in sharing kindness.
Day 12 – Give
It may feel that making a donation to United Way can be tricky to budget, but by making a monthly donation, it’s much easier to plan around. Today, you can begin a monthly donation that suits your budget, by visiting www.unitedwayoxford.ca/donate. Your donation of $10 a month can help an individual in Oxford County find safe & affordable housing. What an incredible gift to share this holiday season.