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Swift’s contribution came after Star entertainment columnist Vinay Menon reached out in aÌý. On Dec. 13, her 34th birthday, Swift responded with a pledge of $13,000 (U.S.).Ìý

”(Swift) helped us raise awareness of the Santa Claus Fund with new and younger audiences,” said BrianÌýCordingley, interim executive director with the Toronto Star Children’s Charities, “which is a great boost to the campaign, as it inspired people to donateÌýwho have never donated before.”

with roots dating back to the late 1800s.Ìý

Joseph E. Atkinson, the Star’s long-time publisher, was the youngest of eight children being raised by their widowed mother. One day, as heÌýwatched otherÌýkids skate around a pond,Ìýa woman approachedÌýand asked why heÌýwasn’t joining them. Atkinson explained his family’s situationÌýand that he didn’t have skates. Touched by his story, the woman boughtÌýhim his first pairÌýfor Christmas.Ìý

During his tenure as publisher, Atkinson urged readers to step forward with kindness; their donations would allow the Star to purchase socks, mittens and treats to fill gift boxes.ÌýIn 1906, the fund’s first year, 100 gift boxes were delivered to children exclusively in the city’s downtown area.ÌýOver time, the reach would extendÌýto financially vulnerable children throughout Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Pickering and Ajax.Ìý

Depending on the recipient’s age, each parcel contains a toy from Toys “R” Us, a bookÌýrecommended by Scholastic, a nut-free treat from Sobeys, a toothbrush and toothpaste from Colgate, as well as a hat, mittens, socks and a sweater from Joe Fresh.Ìý

“The only exception is that the infant boxes have more baby specific items, like sleepers,”ÌýHalverson said.Ìý

In the past, Santa Claus Fund organizers had to find temporary warehouse space to conduct operations. For this holiday season,Ìý, a moving and delivery company, to use its warehouse in Mississauga to assemble and pack gift boxes. The added space increased the number of gift boxes filled each day to 3,000, from a previous average of 2,500.Ìý

With so many recipients, , some of whom work out of depots toÌýregister and sort gift boxes for each region, before they are sent out for delivery.Ìý

“We have a lot of public volunteers working as depot coordinators, and then we have a lot of Star staff who volunteer to deliver,” Halverson said. “So it’s a good mix of Star employees and the public.”

Swift is not the first celebrity to give to the Santa Claus Fund.Ìý

“You’d be surprised,”ÌýHalversonÌýsaid. “There are very giving individuals whoÌýfly under the radar, while actually donating some of the larger amounts.”

CorrectionÌý— Jan. 9, 2024

This story has been updated. The infant box given out as part of the Santa Fund includes a sleeper, a pack of five baby body suits, socks, wipes and petroleum jelly. A previous version of this story incorrectly described the contents of the box.