ALIGNED Advocates Help Stock The Shoebox Project
ALIGNED colleagues recently spent an afternoon wrapping a number of festive shoe boxes for The Shoebox Project for Shelters.
With more than 45 chapters, this organization, “collects and distributes gifts in the form of Shoeboxes to women who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness in communities across Canada and the U.S. Each Shoebox is filled with items valued at $50 that any woman will likely enjoy, but may not splurge on for herself in difficult times.”1
The Shoebox Project notes that, “In our founding year, 2011, we delivered 400 Shoeboxes to residents of four Toronto women’s shelters. Through word of mouth and the support of some loyal sponsors, the initiative grew very quickly. Four short years later, in 2015, our network of dedicated volunteers delivered almost 25,000 gifts to women in 135 communities.”2
Sharing & Caring: You can #JustGiveLove during the holiday season and help The Shoebox Project build awareness about homelessness through social media. You can also watch and share The Real Impact of a Shoebox video today!
The Shoebox Project – How To Get Involved
ALIGNED advocates based in the Waterloo National Operations Centre enjoyed taking part and wrapping some boxes. They brought in wrapping paper and tape as well as items for the boxes that are most in need. The Shoebox Project provides 5 simple steps on how to make your own shoebox including items that are most needed such as:
- “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 (Tim Hortons, Shoppers, McDonalds, etc.) Please write the amount on the card or include the receipt
- Subway tokens and bus tickets
- Journals, colouring books, pens, coloured pencils
- Supportive message”3
Andrew Clark, president and CEO shares, “The Shoebox Project helps countless women who are in need. In a relatively short time, they’ve made an incredible impact on communities across our country. On behalf of the ALIGNED team across Canada, we’re thrilled to support them with our hearts & hands for one of our annual days of volunteering.”
ALIGNED with Corporate Social Responsibility. One of our many elements to ALIGNED’s focus on corporate social responsibility is helping with our hearts and hands. We believe in leading by example – by giving generously, regularly and frequently.
Every year, every staff member spends two days volunteering. This program also enables ALIGNED team members to partner with specific organizations that they are passionate about supporting. We believe that it is a privilege to handle our clients’ insurance needs and that it is our corporate social responsibility to help others in a number of ways.
Source: 1,2,3 ShoeboxProject.com
