As the dizzying Holiday Season approaches, Toronto urbanites need to remember that the state of a society is best gauged by looking at its most needy. Often overwhelmed by the practicalities involved with this time of year, it is easy to forget to make room for those who truly need our care.

Thankfully, many Torontonians share the proper spirit of giving by volunteering their resources (the most valuable of these being time) during this period, so if you are willing to make this sacrifice, you need to plan ahead.

Below are links to some of the many wonderful places you can donate some time over the upcoming season. Unfortunately, this activity is often relegated to this period alone, so consider making it an ongoing experience. By no means is this list exhaustive, so if you're aware of other worthwhile opportunities, please feel free to add them along with any other information (websites, phone numbers et cetera), and I will be glad to put them on this list.

- Covenant House Toronto

- Ontario Association of Food Banks

- Good Shepherd Refuge

- Children's Aid Society of Toronto

- Second Harvest

- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto

- Canadian Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

- Inner City Angels

- Distress Centres of Toronto

- Kids Help Phone

- Toronto Humane Society

- volunteertoronto (great resource - care of 'Karen')