The December holidays, mostly celebrated by Christians, are often associated with warmth and excitement to spend time with our families and are celebrated as joyous occasions. Sometimes we can take being able to prepare food for our families, exchange gifts and gather together in our homes for granted. It is important to understand that not everyone has the privilege to welcome the holidays with our shared enthusiasm.
From Thursday, November 18th to Friday, December 3rd, Cayuga Secondary will be fundraising to create virtual shoeboxes to support local women in shelters escaping abuse and those impacted by homelessness this holiday season. We will also be collecting items for the food drive during this time to support the local Cayuga Food Bank.
The Shoebox Project for women was founded by four Toronto sisters-in-law; Jessica, Caroline, Vanessa and Katy Mulroney in 2011. The family had noticed that there were many opportunities to provide gifts for children experiencing homelessness, but there were no gift drives for their mothers. With the hopes of making the holiday seasons a little bit brighter for struggling local women in their community. They asked friends and acquaintances to fill a shoebox full of gifts and little luxuries that would bring a smile to any woman’s face. The first season shoeboxes were collected, they exceeded all expectations and ended up receiving 400 shoeboxes, which was enough gifts to support women accessing four local shelters.
The mission of The Shoebox Project is to share empathy, kindness and compassion with local women who are struggling and in need through the collection and distribution of gift-filled shoeboxes and messages of support.
The Shoebox Project operates all across Canada, but this year we will be supporting local women’s shelters and other women’s services, in the Haldimand, Norfolk and Brant counties.
In Brant County the unemployment rate was 10.8% in 2020, and 6.9% in Haldimand Norfolk Counties in 2016. Many people state job loss or underemployment as a significant stress leading them to experience homelessness. At this moment, there are 1,191 families in Brant County and 253 families in Norfolk County who are on a waitlist for housing support. There is also a waitlist up to 10 years in our area for a 1 bedroom rent to geared income housing, and nobody should have to wait that long to be supported.
It is also important to mention that the Haldimand and Norfolk Women’s Services reports that 1 in 4 woman in our community experience abuse, and often face homelessness as they are courageously trying to escape their dangerous situations.
For women who have been displaced from their homes and separated from their families, special occasions can be particularly challenging. Women often report feeling disconnected from society, invisible and alone during the holidays. A shoebox gift is a powerful reminder for a woman that she has not been forgotten and that she remains a valued and respected member of her community.
It is encouraged that as a class, you decide together what items you would like to include in your shoebox. Fundraising can be completed either by collecting cash donations within your classroom, or through SchoolCash Online. The money that your class raises will be used to create the gift filled shoebox of your choosing and will be submitted virtually.
If your class brings in the full list of food bank items, along with fundraising money for one complete woman’s shoebox, you will receive hot chocolate and will be entered into a draw for the chance to win the Cornucopia of Treats (which is a whole bunch of baked goods and cookies).
Creating a shoebox is a simple gesture of kindness that has an immediate and positive impact on the woman who receives it. While the world is full of people in need all year round, no time is more apparent than during the holiday season. For those of us who have the privilege to welcome the holidays with enthusiasm and excitement, please, take the time to think about those in our community who are unable to do so. By bringing in food items and creating a virtual woman’s shoebox, you have the opportunity to spread hope and lift the spirits of local community members, which is an incredibly powerful gesture.
For more information, please visit The Project Shoebox website (https://www.shoeboxproject.ca/chapters/haldimand-norfolk-brant-counties) and the Haldimand and Norfolk Women’s Services website (http://www.hnws.on.ca/index.php#).
If you know someone who is struggling with abuse, you can call the Haldimand and Norfolk Women’s Services crisis and support line at 1-800-265-8076 to receive assistance.
