Collingwood rallied around the cause of the Basketeers this year, donating more than 75 packed baskets to be donated to women’s shelters in the region.
This was the first year for the Collingwood chapter, and organizers didn’t know what to expect. They set a goal of collecting 40 baskets from the community, and were overwhelmed on Nov. 17 when the baskets kept arriving.
Eva Landreth is one of the founding members of the local chapter and said there were some really creative baskets prepared. Each basket contained household items such as kitchen appliances and supplies, bedding, towels, or personal hygiene items that would help women who were leaving the shelter get a new beginning.
Brigitte Kopas and Rachel Gruber delivered two baskets that were compiled with donations from a group of neighbours in Collingwoodlands.
The baskets went to My Friend’s House in Collingwood, Green Haven shelter in Orillia, the Owen Sound Women’s Centre Grey and Bruce, and the Kincardine Women’s House.
For the Collingwood shelter, which received about 18 baskets, the issue is storage. My Friend’s House has a limited amount of space, so while they would see more women come through their programs in a year, they couldn’t store any more baskets.
Landreth said next year the group would be looking for sponsorships to find extra storage where My Friend’s House could store more basket donations.
If you’d like to get involved in the local Basketeers effort next year, you can follow their Facebook page here.
My Friend’s House will still accept donations of personal hygiene items, gift cards and new bedding and towels. There is also an opportunity to sponsor the women and children in the shelter with Christmas gifts this holiday season. Contact My Friend’s House here.
