Activities
Hands-on service and fundraising for women across the GTA
What We Do
Service You Can See
Our members raise funds and give their time to projects that help women in Toronto and around the world. These are the activities we come back to year after year.
Every Month
The Orange Bag Project
The Orange Bag Project started during COVID, when we were not able to get together in large groups. It has continued because of its popularity with members and the agencies we serve.
Each month we support an organization by asking what specific items its clients could use. Members who are able purchase the products and take responsibility for delivery. Donations are delivered in orange bags bearing the Zonta logo.
The first Orange Bag was delivered to Sistering in February 2022. Since then we have also provided Orange Bags to:
- The South Asian Women's Centre
- Women's College Hospital Sexual Assault Centre
- Covenant House Anti-Human Trafficking Services
- The Elizabeth Fry Society
- Jessie's Centre for Young Women
- Second Harvest Food Bank
- Redwood Shelter
- Yellow Brick House
- Times Change Women's Employment Service
Hand Made
Warm Hats
Every year, our members deliver more than 200 hand-made hats to agencies in the GTA.
Sistering, Times Change, Street Haven, Redwood, the Afghan Women's Association and more have received hats for adults and children.
Global Service
Birthing Kits
Each birthing kit includes a plastic sheet, a piece of soap, two latex gloves, gauze squares, cord ties and a razor blade. They are essential for midwives who deliver babies in non-sterile conditions, where something as simple as a piece of soap or a sterile razor blade can be the difference between life and death for mother or child.
The Zonta Club of Toronto has made more than 10,000 kits to date: a day of fellowship for a great cause. Kits are delivered through World Division to areas of the world where they are desperately needed.
The birthing kits initiative is a perfect fit for the Zonta Club of Toronto, given our commitment to advancing the status of women through service. We are following in the footsteps of other Zonta Clubs from around the world who have donated time and supplies to help women in developing countries to have a safe delivery, something we take for granted in our home community.
Nita McCown, President, Zonta Club of Toronto
Every Fall
Annual Car Rally
2026 is the 38 th annual car rally in support of Zonta Club of Toronto’s
service projects. It’s not a race, but a wonderful afternoon with friends,
family and other Zontians viewing the beautiful fall colours. We have a
different route each year - mapped out by the Toronto Autosport Club.
There may be skill testing questions or a scavenger hunt along the way.
Sponsorships may also be made on line through Canada Helps
Every December
Dickens Dinner & Bake Sale
Every December, Zonta Toronto members, friends and family come together for a full Dickens Dinner with all the trimmings: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and more. This is also when we present cheques to the agencies we support, to thank them for their work with underserved women in the GTA.
After dinner, guests are invited to visit the bake table to buy baked goods and craft items.
Youth Leadership
Z Clubs
Established in 1948, the Z Club and Golden Z Club program is one of Zonta International's longest-running programs. Z Clubs and Golden Z Clubs help high school, college and university students develop leadership skills, explore careers and take part in community, school and international service projects.
With the help of experienced Zonta sponsors, who provide resources, information and guidance, Z Club members (high school students) and Golden Z Club members (college or university students) plan, organize and take part in activities that meet the needs of their members, their schools and their communities.
Get Involved
There's More Than One Way to Help
Every December, we give the funds we raise to local agencies serving women across the GTA. Become a member, bring friends to one of our events, or donate anytime through CanadaHelps.