The story of Mississauga Sponsor a Child started with the vision and determination of one person - Patricia Anderson.

In 1997, Pat Anderson was asked by the City of Mississauga to chair what would become known as the Mississuaga Waterfront Festival.  As a condition of her taking on this project and knowing that it would take away from her time working with her parish's social ministries, she insisted that the board of directors allow children in need to attend the festival for free.

In that year, the Mississauga Waterfront Festival sponsored 300 children's attendance to the festival.  Demand quickly grew, as did the costs.  In 2002, the Board of Directors formally created Sponsor A Child  as a part of the Mississauga Waterfront Festival.  The City of Mississauga partnered with Sponsor A Child by offering a charitable receipt for every donation made.  At this time, over 2,000 children were being sponsored each year.

In 2005, Sponsor A Child gave 3,000 children a weekend of fun and excitement. With need far outstripping supply, new ways were needed to raise money. As a result, this website was created to encourage increased support from the community and businesses that call Missisauga home.

It is our great hope that Missisauga Sponsor A Child will continue to grow. We want to bring smiles to the faces of all the children in Mississauga who need a helping hand.