WoodGreen Community Services is calling on all Torontonians to spread some holiday cheer by making a difference in the lives of a needy local family or individual this holiday season.

To do so, the east end social service agency has put together a new initiative this Christmas called the Community CHEERLeaders program.

Ann Rosenfield, executive director of the WoodGreen Foundation, the charitable organization's fundraising arm, said it combines WoodGreen's adopt-a-family/individual, toy drive and cash donation programs.

"We've created a new program that encompasses our three holiday programs. It's now under one umbrella," she said.

Christmas and New Year's are especially challenging times for those facing financial difficulties or those without a strong family support network, said Susan Melnick, manager of resource development for WoodGreen, which has served east end residents since 1937. "The holiday season is a really hard time for some people. We're creating our own community to help those in need."

ADOPT-A-FAMILY/INDIVIDUAL

For the fifth consecutive year, WoodGreen is giving local families, groups or corporations the option of adopting a family or an individual during the holiday season.

This time around, donors can choose the size of the family they'd like to help or request to be matched with an individual of a certain age.

"We do get a lot of donors who want to educate their children about the power and purpose of giving," said Melnick, adding donors tend to feel more connected to those they're giving to when they can better relate to them.

A lot of corporations also come together to generously sponsor families over the holidays, she said.

To date, the program has helped more than 500 families as well as countless individuals, especially those in WoodGreen's Homeless and Housing Help Program.

So far only 100 of the 300 families and individuals who have applied for the program have been adopted.

"It's great but over 200 remain and our biggest need is actually individuals," Melnick said, explaining clients range from seniors living in the First Step to Home transitional housing to those who make use of WoodGreen's Rent Bank program and who require emergency assistance to make ends meet to people in the agency's mental health and developmental services programs as well as those in its immigrant services program.

"We have clients in need in almost every single program we run," she noted.

All donations must be dropped off no later than Dec. 15 by 5 p.m. to WoodGreen locations at 815 and 1491 Danforth Ave. Items can also be dropped off at 835 Queen St. E. on Dec. 14 and 15 by 5 p.m. daily.

Call 416-645-6000, ext. 4005 or email smelnick@woodgreen.org to make arrangements for any special drop-offs.

Once everything is assembled, clients will be invited to a WoodGreen location to pick up their goods.

To register, visit http://wcs.r-esourcecenter.com/event/Adopt_search.asp?Event_ID=3

TOY DRIVE

WoodGreen's annual Christmas toy drive brings together local retailers, individuals and community groups who provide needy local children from babies to teens with gifts during the holiday season.

Some of the most needed toys include arts and crafts, board games, cars/trucks, dolls, gift cards to purchase CDs, Lego, musical toys, remote control cars (batteries included) and puzzles. Toys and gifts are especially needed for older children and teens.

For health reasons, all stuffed animal donations must be in a box.

Donors are asked to include a gift bag with tissue paper.

Those wishing to contribute can drop off new unwrapped toys at 815 Danforth Ave., Ste. 400 until Friday, Dec. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Since 2004, Danforth Avenue retailer Treasure Island Toys has also supported WoodGreen's annual toy drive by donating toys to the agency's eight child care locations.

CASH DONATIONS

Those unable to adopt an individual or family at this time can also donate $20, $50 or $100 and WoodGreen will purchase gift cards to No Frills, Price Choppers or Food Basics. This important program works to ensure no one goes hungry over the holiday season.

Tax receipts are available.