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. 

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, you're welcome to choose 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. It lists your item, family number and recipient. You can also look up your name using the search bar at the top of the sign-up page.

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.

What kinds of gift cards can I donate?

We accept two types:

• Physical gift cards bought in store
• Print-at-home gift cards bought on the retailer's own website and printed on paper

We can't accept e-gift cards that are only delivered by email.

What's the safest way to buy a gift card?

For larger amounts, buy the card directly on the Walmart or Loblaws website and print it at home. Your card comes straight from the retailer, so nobody else has handled it.

• Walmart
• Loblaws/No Frills The Loblaws card can be used at No Frills and other Loblaw-owned stores, which gives families more choice.

Please avoid the large gift card racks in stores that carry many different brands. These displays have known fraud problems. Cards can be tampered with before they're bought, and the money may be gone before a family ever gets to use it.

Is there a recommended gift card amount?

Give what feels right for you. Every contribution helps. For grocery or Walmart cards, we recommend $100 minimum due to current food prices.

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

Buy it at the retailer's own checkout, not from a multi-brand gift card rack. Ask the cashier for the activation receipt and put it in your RFTS envelope with the card. Without it, our volunteers have to call each retailer to confirm the balance before the card can go to a family.

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/NoFrills:   

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

Put the card(s) in the Reason for the Season envelope that came home in your child's backpack. Include the activation receipt if you bought a physical card. Fill in the front of the envelope so our volunteers can match it to your sign-up.

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.

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. Some generous members of the KCS community 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 Shira - [email protected] or Deirdre - [email protected]

Still have questions?

 Reach out to:

• Shira Brym – [email protected]
• Deirdre Matthews – [email protected]