Victoria (South Vancouver Island)

"The 2021 Holiday season has been the seventh year we have partnered with the Montreal Shoebox Project. This year in particular, with  the impact of Covid continuing, the shoebox ensured us a guaranteed gift for all the residents. They arrived early and were well organized by the Montreal Team, plus already wrapped. We had enough for our 28 residents, and everyone had items that covered their basic needs with a few extra treats. The impact it has on our residents is filled with appreciation and gratitude.  Since the items are things that are used everyday it allows for the residents to save this amount if they would have purchased it on their own.  The amount saved allows for an increase in their own personal budgets which is truly helpful during these expensive times. The gift cards to McDonalds this year have surely helped the residents break isolation and treat themselves together.
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The Holiday season is extra special because we get gift boxes from the Montreal Shoebox Project. We thank you all so very much for the continous generosity, and ensuring all of our residents have a gift to unwrap each year. We hope to be able to have your support each year."
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- J.W., Manager Client Services at a Montréal Shelter

"The women were very happy to find practical items, items they use on a daily basis. Some were so excited and overjoyed that they called the intervention workers by their side, smiling from ear to ear, showing the contents of the boxes.

All were very grateful to receive the boxes and touched that they had been thought of. The Holiday Season can be a sad time of the year and offering a present to the isolated/lonely can make a huge difference. I hope you know that you have made a difference in hundreds of women’s lives during the past holiday season."
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- A. B., Communications and Volunteer Coordinator at a Montréal Shelter

"I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the ladies and families, to extend our thanks and gratitude for your support during the holiday season. Your donations were received with grand smiles and much joy. Oh the smiles they give you when they reached in and found the personal care products, mittens, hats and scarfs. It is encouraging to know that community can work together and share in such a loving way.  Thank you for your devotion and to making a difference."

- T.M., Outreach Worker at a Montréal Shelter

"Once again, this past holiday season, the women really enjoyed opening up their boxes to find all kinds much needed items. They were actually quite surprised as they really thought there would be no celebration in the context of the pandemic. So, this made the day that more special. The Shoeboxes are most definitely a big part of our celebration during the holidays!

A big thank you to everyone who participated. What a difference a Shoebox can make!"
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- I. J.   Intervention Worker at a Montréal Shelter

"Your Shoeboxes are amazing, filled to the brim with all types of goodies and gift cards! It is so nice that everything is new too. A real box full of all kinds of surprises and treats that make the ladies feel so special. The gift cards are so nice too! The women get to pick something they like which is really important.

The ladies made comments such as "c'est du vrai bonheur ça!", "ah mon dieu...!", and "wow, c'est magnifique!"

Having all the Shoeboxes so beautifully wrapped created a lovely decorative element in our pavilion too. We used the wall full of wrapped Shoeboxes as an attractive backdrop for photographs. Your Shoeboxes are assembled with a lot of love and it shows!"
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- C.R., Assistant to Director of Services at a Montréal Shelter

"I learned about the shoebox project on Social media and from the first time I got to meet with Lora from the Montreal chapter I knew we would build an amazing partnership and with her help and guidance a successful event. Having the opportunity to volunteer and to be able to help and support women was extra special.  We are looking forward to many more events."
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- Sabrina C.

"I am extremely touched to know that there are awesome organizations that help women rise up and help them get back on their feet. We have all experienced hard days in our lives; and to me it’s extremely important to be able to help those in need especially women and kids. I hope this little box brings a smile to one amazing woman. Xoxo Dina"
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- Dina Y.

"For me, this was an opportunity to give back to someone in my community. Someone who at this point in time is at their lowest and could use some basic necessities just to feel somewhat normal. A lot of us don’t know what it’s like to have nothing, and we take the things we have for granted. That’s why any chance we get to help people in our community, we should take it."
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- Joseph N.

"Having the opportunity to participate in creating a shoe box was a great way to bring our district together and work towards a great cause. Creating this box reminded me that with kindness you have the ability to shape the world around you in whatever way you choose one box at a time. Besides this being a valuable contribution, it is an excellent exercise of self-observation and humbleness. Thank you for allowing us to spread love, kindness and respect to women in need within our community."
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- Chris H-S.

"It meant a lot for us to participate in this shoebox drive because we love every occasion for women to support women!"
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- Marissa Y.