Holiday Angel Program
About the Program
The Holiday Angel Program was a critical formative step in what was to become New Circles Community Services. It began in 1996 when our founder, Cindy Blakely, was employed as a school social worker for the Toronto District School Board. The Holiday Angel Program was designed to bring families who were living in poverty, essential items of new coats, basic household items and groceries during the holiday season.
The Holiday Angel Program entails a matching process whereby donors, or people who are interested in helping people, are matched, by New Circles’ staff, to an individual or family in financial need.
Program Details
The deadline to register as a Holiday Angel is Friday, October 24, 2025. Please click below to support. There are limited spots available! Do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Requirements of the program are that the recipient family must be clients of New Circles’ clothing program. The family (or primary contact) undergoes an interview by New Circles’ staff at which time a profile of their family background and circumstances is created. The custom match complete with a consensual personal and historical background of the family is, for the donor, what makes this Christmas gift-giving program unique.
Our unique program benefits clients and donors alike. The relationship of giving and receiving is co-beneficial creating human bonds in our community. Goodwill is something unique to humanity and our program affects families in a meaningful way that spreads joy through the winter season.
With that in mind, we are requesting that you provide gift cards with a minimum value of $500 per family member. This way our clients can purchase basic needs of food and household items. It is our hope that you will become a Holiday Angel this year and provide your gift card donation. Your support will provide a measurable change and for that, we thank you.
Please know that when you provide your purchase receipt for the gift cards, New Circles is more than happy to issue you a tax receipt. Please email us at if you have any questions or need more information about our program.
We understand that this may be a significant commitment for some of our donors. If you are unable to donate the requested amount, please consider contributing directly to the program through our CanadaHelps page to help provide additional funds for our families.
