Muskoka Shoebox Project aims to brighten the holidays for 750 women in need

Feature photo (from left): Jocelyn Biggs (holding Lucy), Rotary Exchange student Maria Josee Miguel Cabib, Kim O’Grady, Jennifer Jerrett, Jan Laschinger, Brandy Van Gelder, Yvonne Stephenson, Muskoka Shoebox Project co-ordinator Joanne Buie, Beth Saunders, Muskoka Shoebox Project co-ordinator Barb Baldwin, Heather Douglas, Kelly Hammond, Jorja Hammond and Tilly Douglas.

For women experiencing homelessness or poverty, the holidays can be a challenging and lonely time. The Shoebox Project hopes to reduce those feelings of isolation and loneliness by letting women know that others in their community are thinking of them.

The Muskoka chapter of The Shoebox Project aims to collect 750 shoeboxes filled with $50 worth of small luxuries to distribute to local agencies helping women living in shelters, who are in transition, or who are in need. In their first year participating in 2015, the Muskoka chapter provided these gifts for 352 women across the region. Their original goal for this year was 500 but co-ordinators have since received requests for 750 shoeboxes from local agencies.

Kelly Hammond is heading up the Huntsville drive. She learned of the initiative on Facebook last year and created a box for the project. This year, organizers contacted her to see if she would be interested in coordinating the drive in Huntsville. Despite being in the midst of developing her own business and honouring her commitments as a Rotarian, it was a request she couldn’t refuse.

“I really believe in this,” said Hammond. “My daughter and I spent a lot of time last year putting together items and boxes and gift bags for youth groups and Chrysalis and other support centres for her advent calendar – instead of her getting a gift, she was to give a gift. It’s really important to me that she’s here tonight to see how much need there is in our community. I was honoured that they asked me and I’ve had so many people come forward to say they want to help.”

Co-ordinators from the Muskoka chapter, Joanne Buie and Barb Baldwin, were on hand to explain the project and help the women stuff boxes.

“It was a big learning curve last year but it was very rewarding,” said Buie. “We are trying to make these women feel special and loved and wanted.”

Buie and Baldwin generally don’t see the clients who receive the shoeboxes, but happened to be at an agency when one was gifted to a woman last year. “She stopped us and thanked us,” said Buie, “and she said she’d never had a gift in her life. She had to be in her sixties. It just makes you want to push even more for these women.”

Tilly Douglas (left) and Jorja Hammond write messages in cards to be included with the shoeboxes

How you can participate

The idea is simple: pack a wrapped shoebox (top and bottom wrapped separately) with $50 of new little luxury gift items that any woman might enjoy. Some suggestions:

• Something warm: socks, mitts, scarf, hat, hand warmers
• Something sweet: nut-free chocolate and candy (not alcohol-filled)
• Cough drops, multivitamins
• Body or hand lotion, soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
• Brush, comb, shampoo, conditioner
• Nail polish, mascara, eye shadow, lipstick, lip balm
• Purse-sized Kleenex, small cosmetic bag
• Gift cards for Tim Hortons, Shoppers, McDonalds, etc. (write the amount on the card or include the receipt)
• Costume jewelry
• Journals, colouring books, pens, coloured pencils
• A supportive or inspirational message (cards or notes may be signed, but with first names only)

Organizers ask that you not include used items, hotel samples, sized clothing, mouthwash containing alcohol, candles, foundations, concealers, hand-sanitizers, perfume, razors, jumbo-sized containers, books and items that have been opened or that are not packaged.

When you have filled your wrapped shoeboxes, drop them off before December 1 at either Becker Shoes in Huntsville Place Mall or Royal Lepage Lakes of Muskoka at 100-395 Centre Street N. (Locations in Bracebridge and Gravenhurst are noted in the link below.)

The Muskoka Shoebox Project will deliver the shoeboxes to local women’s shelters and support organizations in time for the holidays. Last year, shoeboxes were distributed to Christine’s Place, the Women’s Advocacy Group (Chrysalis and Interval Houses), District of Muskoka (Living In Balance program), Muskoka Victim Services, Gravenhurst Resource Centre, YWCA Muskoka and the Salvation Army in Huntsville, Bracebridge and Gravenhurst.

For information on what to put in and how to wrap your Shoebox, go to shoeboxproject.com/muskoka. You can also follow the local chapter on Facebook here for updates and ideas. If you’re sharing your efforts on social media, use the hashtag #JustGiveLove.

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