Published On Sun Dec 26 2010, www.thestar.com
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Boxing Day’s origins are obscure. According to one theory, it dates from the Middle Ages, when boxes outside churches were used to collect special offerings for the poor in conjunction with the Feast of Saint Stephen. In the Victorian era, it became customary for middle-class and affluent families to give small boxes of goods to the tradesmen, delivery workers and servants who had laboured for them throughout the year.
Today, this tends to be a holiday to reward ourselves. Shopping malls are at their busiest, packed by thousands of enthusiastic consumers taking advantage of low, low Boxing Day prices. It’s a great day for bargain hunters and for businesses eager to sell off leftover Christmas inventories.
But there’s less to celebrate for those lacking money to take advantage of these sales. Boxing Day is of little use for the destitute, for the many who lack a job and have a hard time finding cash to cover even their essentials, and for those too ill or disabled to risk the holiday crush.
It seems appropriate that those of us who eagerly reap Boxing Day savings also channel some of our resources to a purpose more in keeping with the tradition behind this holiday — that of helping the less fortunate.
The need is especially great this year as donor fatigue and the straitened circumstances of many Canadians have drastically reduced the amount of charitable giving. A recent Angus Reid Public Opinion poll found that about 34 per cent of people surveyed have cut their charitable contributions this year. About 57 per cent donated the same amount as in the past, while only 8 per cent gave more to charity.
Yet the need is greater than ever. United Way Toronto is striving to meet a bold $113 million fundraising target — the biggest in its history and the highest goal of any United Way in North America. A Boxing Day donation here reverberates throughout the year, working in support of 200 health and social services agencies across Toronto. Together, they serve the poor, the hungry, the homeless, abused women, new immigrants, the elderly, and the disabled.
The Daily Bread Food Bank’s holiday drive also has an ambitious goal: the gathering of one million pounds of food, and $1 million, by Jan. 3. A donation of goods or money will help supply 73,000 hampers of food each month to individuals and families struggling to ward off hunger.
The Star’s own Santa Claus Fund provides 45,000 gift boxes to children who may otherwise receive nothing over the holiday season. Many are recent immigrants to Canada and the boxes contain cold weather essentials — like mittens, hats and socks — as well as books, toys and treats to delight the young. This year’s boxes have already gone out, but a donation now helps guarantee next year’s delivery.
Indeed, there is no shortage of opportunities for Boxing Day generosity. Please give.
