The shelters that many of us were supporting said it was fairly easy to find groups willing to buy or sponsor Christmas gifts for children, but the women in shelters, some of which were mothers seemed to be forgotten. We feel by supporting these women, they will in turn hopefully not return to the abuser and will, in the long run, feel stronger for themselves and for their children. We are a gener
ous group of around 3500 volunteers with large hearts. In effect, we start with a laundry basket or storage container and then we fill it with things a woman starting a new life will need. A kitchen basket might contain a kettle, frying pan, kitchen towels, dinnerware, washing-up detergent, etc,; the bed and bath one: sheets, an alarm clock, a blanket, pillow etc. We encourage our members to make every basket special by adding luxury items, such as chocolates, scented soaps, cream, bath oils, etc. We also advocate including gift cards from grocery or department stores. What does it cost to fill a basket? That depends on you and your shopping skills. The average this year was about $150.00 - $200.00. If you are unable to fill a basket on your own, find a friend or colleague who is willing to contribute to the cause. In one office a group of women held a competition to see which team could create the most beautiful (and most useful) basket by scouting sales all summer. Bridge Clubs, Church Groups, Social Committees, Sports Groups, and many other groups of women and men have filled baskets and offered a helping hand to women in their new beginnings. In 2000 we started with 14 baskets and in 2011 we supported 39 women’s shelters in Ontario with a total of 1686 beautiful wrapped baskets. In eleven years we have grown from the original group of Basketeers covering the Greater Toronto Area and now we have seven additional chapters located in Stratford, Ottawa, York, Hamilton, Brantford, Guelph and Thunder Bay. To adopt a basket, simply register on the website www.basketeers.ca and start shopping. The website will give you a suggested shopping list of items that have proven useful as well as the drop-off date and location. Be sure to wrap the basket and attach a printed list of the contents to the outside of each basket to assist the shelters in matching a basket with a woman in need. All chapters have their own drop off locations, on the same day. This year that day will be Saturday November 17, 2012. Come and meet your chapter organizer, shelter representatives, make new friends and don't miss this inspiring day. Visit the website for your area drop off details and maps.
