Questions, answered

What is the George Hull Centre?

The George Hull Centre is a leading children’s mental health centre in Etobicoke that supports infants, children, and youth (0–18) and their families. It’s rated a 5-star charity by Charity Intelligence Canada and ranked among the Top 10 Impact: Youth Charities and Top 100 Charities in Canada. Learn more here: Charity Intelligence profile.

Where can I read about the families we’re supporting?

 Please click here to visit the Meet our Families page. 

What kinds of gift cards can I donate?

Please donate physical or printed (online purchase you print yourself) gift cards. E-gift cards are not accepted because many families do not have reliable access to email/printing.

Can I contribute an e-gift card?

No. E-gift cards cannot be accepted for the reason above.

Can I purchase an online gift card and print it to donate?

Yes. You may buy an e-card and print it from any of the following retailers:
Walmart
No Frills

What do I need to know when purchasing a physical gift card?

Ask the cashier for an activation receipt and include it with your card in your RFTS envelope. If it’s missing, our volunteers must phone each retailer to verify balances before distribution.

What is an activation receipt?

It’s the portion of your receipt showing the card number and that funds were activated/loaded.
Click the card below for a sample of what to look for on your receipt.
Walmart:  
Loblaws:  

Is there a recommended gift card amount?

Give what feels right for you—every contribution helps. If you sign up for grocery or Walmart cards, we recommend $100 minimum due to current food prices. For questions, email the RFTS team (see contacts below).

Can I sign up for more than one item—or for items listed in other grades?

Absolutely! If your grade is full or you’d like to do more, feel free to select additional items in any grade.

I forgot what I signed up for. How can I check?

Search your inbox (and junk folder) for a confirmation from [email protected]—it includes your item, family number, and recipient. You can also use the search bar at the top of the sign-up page to look up your name.

What should I do with my gift card(s) after purchase?

Place the card(s) and activation receipt (if applicable) in the Reason for the Season envelope sent home in your student’s backpack. Complete the information on the front of the envelope so volunteers can match it to the sign-up record.

When and where are envelopes collected?

November 17–19

• Junior School: RFTS volunteers (“elves”) will be in the upper parking lot at school entrances during drop-off and pick-up.
• Senior School: Service Club students will collect envelopes. Bus riders may also hand envelopes to RFTS volunteers at the Junior School.

How can my child participate?

Children are encouraged to make cards with messages of encouragement to include in family packages. Please drop these off with your gift card envelopes on collection days. Feel free to discuss the program at a level you feel is appropriate—students also recently heard from a George Hull Centre representative about ways to help in the community.

My friends or relatives want to contribute. What should they do?

You can sign up for an item under your name on their behalf and include their gift card in your envelope.

Can I donate a gift card that isn’t listed or one I already have at home?

Possibly. Please email the RFTS team first so we can confirm it’s a good fit for the families’ needs.

Why aren’t the family numbers in order?

Family numbers are assigned by the George Hull Centre and may not be sequential.

I’d like to support at a higher level. What options are available?

Thank you! In addition to gift cards, some families need mattresses, blankets, pillows, winter clothing and footwear.  See our Above and Beyond page for details and to coordinate larger gifts. 

Is there a matching opportunity this year?

Yes. A generous community family will match every grocery or Walmart gift card of $500+ donated to the Above and Beyond RFTS program, up to $10,000 in total. Your gift can have double the impact for families’ basic needs this holiday season. Interested? Please contact Tania Da Fonseca at [email protected].

Still have questions?

 Reach out to:

• Tania Da Fonseca — [email protected]
• Karen Osmond — [email protected]
• Kate Fidani — [email protected]