Giving Back

The driving force behind the WILD Winter Festival of Lights is Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue’s love of community. Our WILD community has always given to the wildlife hospital when we were struggling. If we were in need of paper towels, or wet dog food, or any supplies, the community dropped donations off at our doorstep.  As Durham Region’s only wildlife rehabilitation centre, we don’t receive any forms of support from the government; our amazing community has helped us take in and care for over 2,000 animals this year! Giving back to the community is Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue’s small way of saying thank you to our community for their unwavering support and love.

In 2021 alone, Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue’s volunteers were able to collect over 300 new and gently used snowsuits for children, winter clothing for the homeless, toys for families who could not afford gifts, 10,000 non-perishable food items (which allowed us to fill up the 2 local food banks) and raised over $5,000 for a family who had lost everything in a house fire just a few weeks prior to the event.

The WILD Winter Festival of Lights was made possible by the over 250 volunteers who donated their time to help check guests in, wave to the attendees, collect, sort, and deliver all donations just in time for Christmas.

Presenting cheque to JumpStart Canada

Presenting the 2021 donation cheque to JumpStart Canada!

This year's charities are listed below...

Canadian Tire Jumpstart

Jumpstart Canada

Founded in 2005, Canadian Tire Jumpstart (Jumpstart) improves the lives of youth through sport and physical activity, offering individual child grants and community development grants of up to $600 for youth aged 4 to 18 who need financial support, for more than 70 activities. The charity also focuses on helping girls and youth with disabilities become more involved with sport.

J.A.G. Village

J.A.G. Village

Founded by bereaved mother & registered social worker Jodi Gorham (RSW), Jorja's Awesome Grief Village offers grief & bereavement counselling, support, education, consultation & collective healing activities to children, youth, adults & families who are anticipating or have experienced the loss of a loved one. J.A.G. Village is a space for honouring grief and our loved ones, tolerating the intolerable, and for creating a sense of community.

Shriners Hospitals for Children

Shriners Hospitals for Children

Founded in 2005, Canadian Tire Jumpstart (Jumpstart) improves the lives of youth through sport and physical activity, offering individual child grants and community development grants of up to $600 for youth aged 4 to 18 who need financial support, for more than 70 activities. The charity also focuses on helping girls and youth with disabilities become more involved with sport.

Other Ways We Are Giving Back in 2022

Nominating 2 Families in Durham Region in need
of financial assistance (application process)

Having a toy drive drop-off!

Holiday Lights graphic

Proudly Presented By:

Special Thanks To:

Province of Ontario
The Province of Ontario for funding this event
canadian tire msp logo
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for hosting this event

And Sponsored By: