Muskoka 100 People Who Care filled 295 shoeboxes during its third annual Shoebox Raiser campaign to help women in need across Muskoka.
The event took place on Nov. 1 at the Port Carling Community Centre, where participants gathered to pack and wrap shoeboxes filled with essential items and winter gifts for women.
The initiative was made in collaboration with The Shoebox Project for Women, a Canadian charity that supports women experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Officials said that, in addition to the 295 shoeboxes filled with essential items, more than 40 additional shoeboxes, along with various products and cozy necessities, were donated to help the charity continue its work supporting women in need.
According to officials, last year, the charity distributed 1,902 shoeboxes locally, making a meaningful difference in the lives of women throughout our community.
Heather Scott, one of the local Muskoka Shoebox Project coordinators, said the initiative is the “biggest injection of support” they have to start off their campaign for the month of November.
Scott said each shoebox is filled with a variety of essential items, including warm clothing such as hats, mittens and socks, body wash and other personal care products. Each box also includes a handwritten card with an encouraging message.
She said the shoeboxes are then distributed to local organizations and charities, including Muskoka Victim Services, Muskoka Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services, the YWCA and local food banks.
“It really makes such a difference. We really appreciate all the donations that we receive, either monetary donations or in product or a completed shoebox,” she said. “That means so much, and we have a very big goal of almost 2,000 boxes to make this holiday season, so we still have a long way to go.”
Scott said the campaign will run throughout November, with the goal of delivering all shoeboxes to participating charities by Dec. 1.
For more information, or to donate to the initiative, click here.
