Collections for the Purse Project Network 2024 campaign are in full swing, and local residents can make their donations at two drop-off points in Waterdown until Nov. 30.
As in the past, boxes have been set up at the Waterdown Dairy Queen on Dundas Street East and at the Canada Post office on Main Street North, say organizers Gayla Matos and Jill MacKellar.
The pair launched the community initiative back in 2016 and have collected thousands of purses, each filled with essential items and messages of hope. Last year, they amassed 1,900 handbags, which were distributed to women in need through about 20 area agencies such as Flamborough Women’s Resource Centre, The Hope Centre-Eagles Nest, the Compassion Society and Shifra House in Burlington and St. Matthew’s House and Wesley House in Hamilton, among others
Those who want to participate are asked to provide a new or gently used purse - they are carefully inspected for quality - and fill it, starting with 10 essential items: a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, body or hand lotion, shampoo/conditioner, lip balm, body wash/soap, socks, a hat or scarf, and gloves or mitts. Additional treats and items, such as a journal, makeup or nail polish can also be added.
Once the bags and items are collected, Matos, MacKellar and their team of volunteers get into high gear - sorting, packaging and adding a special note of encouragement before delivering them to the local agencies. The impact on each recipient, says MacKellar, goes beyond providing everyday necessities.
"We put it all in this good quality purse, just so when you carry it, you'll you'll feel a bit special," she told FlamboroughToday. "And we're including this handmade, handwritten card with an encouraging message, just to give you an extra lift as well, and just to personalize it a little bit.
"It's meant to be dignity-enhancing, that's what it's all about," she added. "It doesn't matter the circumstance that the person finds themselves in. They might be really having a hard time. They might have suffered with addiction or all kinds of things that have been really brought them down low, but we're giving them something to say, 'Hey, you're worth it.'"
Matos stressed that the purses are a gift, something anyone would like to receive.
"They don't have to be designer, but they have to be great," she said.
More information on the types of purses and what to put in them, along with guidelines for filling a purse can be found on The Purse Network website or by emailing Matos and MacKellar at [email protected].
