Yonge Street Mission's annual Christmas market will open from Dec. 12 to Dec. 22, enabling hundreds of families to shop affordably. A 20-year-plus tradition, the Toronto mission's gymnasium will be packed with items donated for this purpose. Clients register in November to be eligible. This year, through various distribution programs, YSM will serve more than 4,000 children and adults.
In its infancy, the market was sponsored primarily by schools and churches. Today, corporate sponsors help make the huge event possible, donating food, toys and volunteer hours. Last year, 1,000 volunteers donated 3,200 hours to help with the mission's Christmas programs.
YSM also hosts banquets, pageants, and outings for the community, delivers gift boxes to shut-in seniors and isolated adults, and the doors are opened to homeless street youth on Christmas Day.
