Rachel Unlock Codes: 5 Ways to do Good This Holiday Season

Two children play with toys in a UNICEF child-friendly tent space set up at the reception centre for refugees and migrants, in the southern town of Preševo, on the border with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. They are among the thousands transiting Serbia each day with the goal of reaching other countries in the European Union. Children and families arriving at the centre are often exhausted and in need of rest and access to basic services after travelling for days or even weeks. The child-friendly space, established by UNICEF, is equipped with educational materials and toys and provides recreational and educational activities for children in a safe area. The space also offers psychosocial support for children who have experienced trauma in their home countries and during their arduous journey. UNICEF and its partners continue to expand humanitarian services at reception centres in the country, where more than 89,160 people have been registered since June 2015. UNHCR estimates that, at any given time, over 12,000 refugees from the Syrian Arab Republic and other war-torn countries are in Serbian territory. On 11 September 2015, growing numbers of refugees and migrants seeking safety in Europe continue to pass through the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia. Many of them are fleeing violence, conflict and insecurity in their countries of origin. Since the beginning of the year, over 200,000 refugees – mainly from the Syrian Arab Republic, Afghanistan and Iraq – have transited through both countries with the aim of reaching other European Union countries. Children of all ages and their families, many of them walking and with only the shoes and clothes they are wearing, have been travelling for days. They are physically exhausted, dehydrated, sunburnt or wet and cold as a result of extreme temperatures and inclement weather, and in urgent need of safe drinking water, food, shelter, hygiene facilities and medical assistance. Between 1 and

Looking for a way to give back this holiday season? Here are five ways you can help make the holidays merry and bright for those in need.

1. Daily Bread Food Bank

Join Daily Bread's Holiday Drive Public Food Sorts and join the fight against hunger. Volunteers can register for 2.5 hours shifts during the day on December 24^th, December 28^th or December 29^th. Sign up and help sort through Holiday Drive food donations.

Online registration begins tomorrow at 10 a.m. Click here to register.

Can't make it to the food sort? Not to worry; the Holiday Drive is already underway! You can donate non-perishable food and drop it off at any fire hall across Toronto, or directly to Daily Bread's warehouse at 191 New Toronto Street.

2. Help The North, Inuit Care Packages

Did you know that in some parts of northern Canada, stores charge more than $100 for a case of water, $30 for a head of lettuce and $6 for an apple? Many children go to sleep hungry because their parents can't pay these absurd prices.

This holiday season, crowd-funder Nanook Fareal will be sending care packages to families in the remote areas of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories (her home land). Of course, shipping these care packages over won't be cheap. If you would like to help Nanook by donating some money (even $5 is appreciated), check out her crowd-funding page.

By sending a basic care package with food, toiletries and clothing, you can help make a whole family's holiday.

3. Donation Collection for Syrian Refugees

Canada is welcoming new neighbours! With the influx of Syrian refugees, CultureLink has established an emergency Donation Collection and Distribution Centre. While they are no longer taking clothing, there are plenty other household items you can submit to the donation drive:

Kids and Baby Care Products: Diapers (badly needed), baby-care gadgets, strollers and carriers. Books and toys for children (due to hygiene issues, only brand new toys can be accepted)
Bedding: Blankets, cushions, pillows, towels, linens and pillow cases (only accepting brand new bedding)
Kitchenware: Pots and pans, dishes, glasses, baking dishes, blenders, mixers, can openers, coffee makers, cooking utensils, microwave ovens, toasters and toaster ovens
Computers: Desktops, laptops and tablets in good working order, and no more than four years old
Toiletries: Toothbrushes, combs, soap, shampoo, detergent, feminine hygiene products (toiletries must be new and unopened, or individually wrapped)
Other Household Items: Curtains, curtain rods, tablecloths, irons and ironing boards, lamps, mirrors, radios and alarm clocks, tools, televisions, vacuum cleaners, umbrellas

Check out their Donation FAQs for detailed instructions on what/where to donate.

4. UNICEF Survival Gifts

Make an impact with UNICEF's Survival Gifts; it's as easy as 1-2-3!

Choose a survival gift

Browse through over 60 life-saving items and choose a survival gift to help children in need around the world. UNICEF understands if you're on a budget; gifts can be as low as $15.

Dedicate a card

Receive a paper card or send a personalized card to your friend or loved one for the gift you made in their honour.

Save a life

Every Survival Gift is guaranteed to help children around the world survive and thrive. Remember: there is no gift too small!

5. Winter Warmth at Red Door Family Shelter

Many families come to the Red Door with little more than the clothes on their backs. Help a homeless child stay warm this winter by providing a jacket, hat, mittens and boots. Click here to find out how to purchase a winter coat for a child in need.

Donate this holiday season and remember that a little can go a very long way.

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