Home / The Sun Christmas Fund

The Sun Christmas Fund

Each year, the Toronto Sun Christmas Fund helps kids of all abilities access inclusive programs at Variety Village — where they can play, grow, and reach their full potential.

DONATE NOW

The most powerful gift this holiday season won’t fit under a tree — but it will open a door.

  • Every child deserves the chance to play, belong, and thrive. At Variety Village, children with disabilities discover more than programs — they find a community where confidence, joy, and opportunity grow.

    Your support of the Toronto Sun Christmas Fund helps open doors for these children. Through inclusive recreation, adaptive sports, and friendship, every contribution makes a real difference.

    Every dollar counts:

    • $50 covers four months for an infant
    • $250 supports a full year for a child
    • $500 fully subsidizes a year for a youth

    This holiday season, give the gift of belonging. Give today through the Toronto Sun Christmas Fund — and change a child’s tomorrow.

  • Since 1983, the Toronto Sun Christmas Fund has been bringing hope and joy to children with disabilities and families facing challenges during the holiday season. Each year, the campaign raises vital funds to support Variety Ontario and Variety Village, providing inclusive programs, adaptive sports, and services that empower children across Ontario to play, learn, and thrive.

    Toronto Sun columnist Mike Strobel has been championing the Fund since 2008, continuing the legacy of co-founder George Gross. Over the past 15 years, Mike’s dedication has helped raise over $2 million, directly benefiting children, families, and the Variety Ontario community.

    Through the Toronto Sun Christmas Fund, your support shines a light on the lives of children with disabilities — giving them the chance to belong, grow, and experience the joy of the holidays.

    DONATE

  • Chances to WIN!

    Make a difference and enter to win! Prizes for the 2025 Toronto Sun Christmas Fund campaign will be revealed starting November 2025. Every donation not only supports children with disabilities at Variety Village but also gives you a chance to win exciting prizes.

    Give today — your gift could change lives and put you in the running!

    Check back here in November for a full list of prizes and contest rules.

  • HOW TO DONATE

    • Online donation: Click here
    • Phone: (416) 699-7167
    • Mail: Variety-the Children’s Charity of Ontario, 3701 Danforth Avenue, Scarborough ON M1N 2G2

    Cheques made payable to ‘Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ontario’, memo: ‘Sun Fund’.
    Please include your full name, address and email address for tax receipting purposes.
    Please do not send cash in the mail.
    Tax receipts issued for donations of $20 or more.
    Your name may be published in the Toronto Sun Donor List.

  • Mike Wants to Hear From You!

    What inspired you to donate today? Do you have a personal story or experience with Variety that you’d like to share? Whether it’s touching, inspiring, or full of triumph, Mike Strobel wants to hear it.

    Your story could be featured in Mike’s column and help inspire others to support Variety’s mission.

    Click below to share your story with Mike directly.

    Share your story

    Submission Terms
    By submitting your story, you grant Variety Ontario and the Toronto Sun the right to edit and publish it. Stories must not include identifying information about others without consent. We may edit or decline any submission at our discretion.

  • Buy the Special Edition – Support the Sun Christmas Fund

    Take home Viking Cat, the heartwarming adventure by Toronto Sun columnist Mike Strobel. Follow Tulip the Brave, the fearless feline shield-maiden, on her epic journey through the wilds of Manitoulin Island.

    Every purchase helps make a difference — a portion of proceeds goes directly to Variety Village, supporting inclusive programs for kids of all abilities.

    Make your holiday reading meaningful.

    Buy Now

Watch video

2024 Articles

  • A young girl (Madi) swimming in the pool

    STROBEL: Madi makes a splash

    Click to read

  • STROBEL: Anything’s possible in Ben’s World

    Click to read

  • STROBEL: A village of brotherly love, Cedeno boys stand up for each other

    Click to read

  • STROBEL: Remembering a fighter, Variety Village honours swimmer

    Click to read

  • STROBEL: Thanks to our dazzling donors, Christmas Fund nears $2 million

    Click to read

  • STROBEL: New dog, old tricks

    Click to read

  • STROBEL: Variety Village regular ‘helps make me who I am,’ brother says

    Click to read

  • STROBEL: Saquib is on the run, Variety athlete breaks new ground

    Click to read

  • GUEST COLUMN: Why I love Variety Village

    Click to read

  • STROBEL: Yes, Mason, there is a Santa Claus

    Click to read

  • Megan Sherwin, the first Variety Villager to be named chairkid for the Sun Christmas Fund, is seen here with Mike Strobel in 2012.

    STROBEL: Sun Christmas Fund for Variety Village tops $2M

    Click to read

  • Madi Ambos, Chairkid, Sun Christmas Fund

    STROBEL: Banner season for Sun Fund! Variety kids thank you for $125,709 boost

    Click to read

2023 Articles

  • A young girl (Madi) in a cheerleader outfit holding pom poms.

    STROBEL: Madi’s walking in a winner’s wonderland

    Click to read

  • A sisterly hug: Variety Village ambassadors, Maya Salas Martinez ,11, (in purple), with her sister Amanda Salas Martinez, 16, (in pink)

    STROBEL: Siblings of kids with disabilities special in their own way

    Click to read

  • George Guinto, 12, works out on weight machines with his dad Brian at Variety Village

    STROBEL: By George, he’s witty

    Click to read

  • Marshall Ku cannot raise his arms above his head or make a fist, which you’d think would rule out martial arts. Not at Variety Village, it doesn't.

    STROBEL: ‘I WAS BORN THIS WAY’ — Marshall Ku, 8, gets a kick out of life

    Click to read

  • A young girl in a wheelchair with her mouth open.

    STROBEL: The world according to Gavi – a girl on a mission

    Click to read

  • A woman holding a medal in front of a swimming pool.

    STROBEL: UP FROM THE DEPTHS — Ruby’s rocky road to gold

    Click to read

  • STROBEL: Variety’s comeback kid making the best of a bad break

    Click to read

  • Stella

    STROBEL: UNDERSTANDING STELLA — Variety girl has her own language

    Click to read

  • a young boy wearing a hat smiling

    STROBEL: ‘MACLEAN IS MACLEAN’ – Family looks beyond Down syndrome

    Click to read

  • a young boy sitting on a 'volt hockey chair' smiling

    STROBEL: WELCOME BACK, MAVI – Variety Village a refuge in recovery

    Click to read

  • A photo of a young girl wearing glasses sitting on a red foam doing a thumbs up

    STROBEL: ‘GO, STELLA!’ Variety Village girl soars to new heights

    Click to read

  • A photo of a young boy sitting on a hospital bed

    STROBEL: Zach rolls with it

    Click to read

  • A photo of a young boy sitting on a hospital bed

    STROBEL: A.J. steps out! Variety teen walks for first time

    Click to read

  • A photo of a young boy sitting on a hospital bed

    STROBEL: STROBEL: THE CAT’S MEOW! Best ever Sun Christmas Fund raises $139,210

    Click to read

2022 Articles

  • Madi wearing a cream coloured sherpa bucket hat smiling

    STROBEL: ‘Wow, that’s a lot of money!’

    Click to read

  • STROBEL: Changing the world — with his dog’s help

    Click to read

  • STROBEL: No quit in Variety kids like Comeback Zach

    Click to read

  • Variety staffer Brian Hay, left, mugs with Giacomo Bonetta at the Village. PHOTO BY JACK BOLAND /TORONTO SUN

    STROBEL: BOY WONDER: Variety kid a charming puzzle

    Click to read

  • STROBEL: It’s a small world for those with disabilities

    Click to read

  • STROBEL: The wide, wide world of Madi

    Click to read

  • STROBEL: Sisterly love on full display at Variety Village

    Click to read

  • HIS OWN BEST ADVOCATE: Variety kid on inclusion quest

    Click to read

  • STROBEL: She’s in her courageous brother’s corner

    Click to read

  • THE PEACE-MAKER: Variety girl a beacon of calm

    Click to read

  • THE WILL TO WIN: Variety teen embraces wheelchair sport

    Click to read

2021 Articles

2020

  • Madi Amos in the pool

    STROBEL: ‘Hey, Aquaman!’ Mighty mite’s dare kicks off Sun Variety Fund

    Click to read

  • An image of Madi and Victoria by the Variety Village Pool

    STROBEL: ‘JUST DEVASTATING’: Variety Village kids need you

    Click to read

  • Matt (left) and Alex Raymond PHOTO BY JESSICA RAYMOND PHOTO /Toronto Sun

    STROBEL: ‘MR. PREMIER: HELP US’: Variety Village kids collateral damage in lockdown

    Click to read

  • Victoria Illingworth and her parents, Amy and Daryl PHOTO BY SUPPLIED PHOTO /Toronto Sun

    ‘LOCKED DOWN FOR HER BIRTHDAY’: Variety Village closure hits hard

    Click to read

  • Alex Morrison, 14 (left), and Zach Rayment, 11, are pictured on Volt hockey carts at Variety Village in Toronto on Nov. 20, 2020. PHOTO BY ERNEST DOROSZUK, TORONTO SUN /Toronto Sun

    PLAY FAIR! Village Volt hockey stars shut out

    Click to read

  • Zach Rayment at Variety Village. PHOTO BY STAN BEHAL, TORONTO SUN /Toronto Sun

    VARIETY VILLAGE KIDS GET A BREAK: Lockdown let-up on way

    Click to read

  • Sophie Walks, 11, and her mom, Dr. Amanda Dyson.

    STROBEL: From ‘baby house’ to Variety Village

    Click to read

  • Kathleen Woo PHOTO BY MARILYN JANG PHOTO /Toronto Sun

    VARIETY VILLAGE: ‘I miss my piece of heaven’

    Click to read

  • Kenith "Ken" Radonicich-Ord, 11, awaits the reopening of Variety Village and its pool, which for him is therapy and a home away from home. Jennifer Radonicich photo

    STROBEL: A Variety Village ‘fish’ out of water

    Click to read

  • Kyra Menzie, 8, at a Variety Village synchro swim team practice in Toronto, Ont. on Sunday November 15, 2020. PHOTO BY ERNEST DOROSZUK /Toronto Sun

    STROBEL: Variety Village lass pushes Sun Christmas drive over $50K

    Click to read

  • Cameron Imrie

    STROBEL: Village ties that bind

    Click to read

  • Madison "Madi" Ambos, 7, is all smiles after the Sun Christmas Fund, of which she is 'chairkid,' raised more than $75,000 for Variety Village. PHOTO BY KATHERINE AMBOS /Submitted

    STROBEL: Take a bow, Sun readers

    Click to read

2019