When I was young, I knew about Christmas, but I never had the chance to celebrate it.Ìý
In school, I saw the joy of the Christmas showcase and experienced the pleasure of gift-giving through the class Secret Santa swap. But my family doesn’t mark Dec. 25.
While my folks didn’t put up a tree in our home or engage in Christmas carolling, there was one reminder every year that the holiday was approaching: a knock at the door of our Rexdale apartment.Ìý
I was taught not to open the door to strangers, but this knock was different. A few seconds after the tap, I’d hear the sound of the mystery delivery person lightly dropping something at our doorstep, then footsteps shuffling back toward the building’s elevator.Ìý
After determining that the coast was clear, I would rush to the peephole and see someone had left a stack of rectangular boxes outside our door. Now, as an adult, having something delivered to my house isn’t that special but in the era before the explosion of online shopping, andÌýfor a little girl who didn’t have the means to buy much, this was a huge »å±ð²¹±ô.Ìý
And it wasn’t a mistake; someone had thought about me.ÌýThere on the box was a label printed with my full name.ÌýÌý
I recall the first time someone left these boxes for me and my siblings. I would have been about four years old, and I remember wondering, “does Santa really exist?â€
Each year, the boxes came in a new design and a different colour (little Asma was fascinated by this). The numbers 0 to 12 were marked on the side, with a Sharpie circle around my age that year.Ìý
The sealed box’sÌýpossibilities feltÌýendless.
Once opened, the draw was the toys and gadgets selected to be suited to kids of my age, of any gender. I recall the fibre optic lamp that glowed red, the magnetic fishing game, the build-it-yourself 3D wooden dinosaur model, the cherished long lost walkie-talkie, and the green crystal-growing kit that made me feel like a scientist.Ìý
There would also be a treat to fulfil a child’s sugar cravings. In one mystery box, I encountered the cinnamon candy Hot Tamales for the first time. Strangely, I enjoyed them.Ìý
My mother appreciated some of the items more than I did, like theÌýtoothbrush and toothpaste, and the heavy duty winter gloves and pom-pom hat.
Whether they were big or small, treasured or forgotten, none of these gifts were taken for granted.Ìý
The boxes kept coming until I was 12 years old, but I never knew who sent them — until a year ago.
In October 2023, I landed my first real job, as staff reporter at the º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøStar. I was so grateful for the opportunity to join a program where many great journalists got their foot in the door, and ecstatic to be working for the paper I hold dear.
As I got the hang of the job, time passed quickly, and soon enough the holiday season was around the corner. One morning, an email arrived in my inbox about the º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøStar’s Santa Claus Fund initiative. Reading it, I came to the realization that I was working for the same organization that sent me all those gift boxes.Ìý
It was a full circle moment.
I knew that the founder of the Star, Joseph Atkinson, grew up poor and never forgot his roots. I knew he fought for social justice and created the Atkinson Principles, which the Star remains true to. But I didn’t know that his paper’s fund has been supporting thousands of financially vulnerable children for over 100 years.Ìý
It warms my heart that I’m contributing as a reporter to the very initiative that made me and my siblings feel special when we needed it most.Ìý
Just like anyone who grew up poor, I’ve confronted countless instances of adversity. Those experiences shaped who I am today and I would never change a thing about my upbringing.Ìý
Still, the Santa Claus fund gave me and my siblings a reason to look forward to this time of year. It made me feel included in the festivities.
That’s how I know that these gift boxes won’t just provide a sense of comfortÌýto many children across the city this Christmas; they could be the start of something great.Ìý
The º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøStar Santa Claus FundÌý
ÌýGOAL:ÌýÌý$1.5 millionÌý
TO DATE: $677,620
With your gift, the Santa Claus Fund can help provide holiday gift boxes that inspire hope and joy to 50,000 financially vulnerable kids.Ìý
How to donate:Ìý
Online:Ìý
To donate by Visa, Mastercard or Amex, scan this QR code or use our secure form atÌýÌý
By cheque:ÌýÌýÌý
Mail to The º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøStar Santa Claus Fund, 8 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5V 0S8Ìý
By phone:ÌýCall 647-250-8282Ìý
Tax receipts will be issued.Ìý
TO VOLUNTEER:Ìý
EmailÌýscfvolunteer@thestar.caÌý
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:Ìý
Instagram: @torontostarchildrenscharitiesÌý
Facebook: @thetorontostarchildrenscharitiesÌý
Twitter: @TStarCharitiesÌý
LinkedIn: The º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøStar Children’s CharitiesÌý
#StarSantaClausFundÌý
