Christmas is around the corner!
For many, December is a very special time of the year, but it can also be difficult for women in the community. During this time, we work to ensure that any woman who walks in our door feels nurtured, safe, and cared for.
To support women within our community during the season, DEWC organizes several parties and events. We host our annual party for women and their children, host an appreciation dinner for the volunteers who help make DEWC possible, hold holiday meals across all of our sites, and of course, Santa will be visiting women at the shelters. This year over 700 women and children will be attending these events, where we hope everyone will be receiving a gift or care package – adding some cheer to their holiday!
A word from our Fundraising team:
During the holidays, there is messaging everywhere focusing on celebrating family, friends and abundance, but for many in our community these things are not easily available, and the reminders of absence and loss can make this time of year difficult for our members. DEWC staff and volunteers work to bring joy, celebration, and community to our members, and we rely on you – our donors and partners – to be able to achieve this.
We are sincerely grateful for the on-going generosity that we see all year: individuals contributing monthly, families or friends organizing fundraising events, and businesses or foundations contributing to support our services. We are especially thankful for the outpour of kindness that we witnessed during this season and this year we are again calling on you to help. While the emergency responses to the COVID pandemic are more and more behind us, the impact is still very evident in the Downtown community. The rates of violence and homelessness skyrocketed and have not come back down. The need for DEWC services and programs has almost doubled in the last two years. We are seeking your support to ensure we can meet the needs of the women during this holiday season.
How can you help?
- Make a donation to help us provide for the special holiday meals
- Fundraise for us: You’re organizing an end-of-the-year event at work or with your friends? You can raise funds for us
- This holiday season, donate in honour of a friend or family member, and give a gift that nourishes and empowers women!
Find out more here or contact tyra.gilbert@dewc.ca for any questions
While monetary donations are the most helpful to us at this time, we are still seeking in-kind donations.
Here is our Christmas Wishlist!
Toiletries:
– Lip balm & hand cream
– Make-up (new) & make-up bags
– Body wash, toothbrush & toothpaste
– Hair brush and combs
Clothing:
– Gloves, scarves, hats
– Underwear & socks
– Pajamas (S, M, L) & slippers
– Throws & blankets
Christmas chocolates & cookies
All of this would not be possible without the help of generous donors like you. Thank you and happy holidays!