NEWS RELEASE
BRADFORD WOMEN'S+ GROUP
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The Bradford Women's+ Group is in the final stretch of its local donation drive, dedicated to aiding women in need during the upcoming holiday season. For a second year in a row, they are embracing the "Handbags of Hope" campaign in support of local charity Abuse Hurts.
The Bradford Women's+ Group has partnered with various local businesses and community groups to collect purses and toiletry items this holiday season. The group is calling on individuals to join the collective effort in running this important campaign. The donation collection period will extend until November 30th, concluding with a purse packing party scheduled for December 1st at the BWG Library.
Local volunteers, businesses, and community groups are invited to participate by contributing gently used or new handbags and essential items to fill them with. Donations can include new or gently used handbags, along with essential items such as deodorant, tampons, pads, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lip balm, gloves, hats, scarves, hand sanitizer or lotion, hairbrushes, books or magazines, flashlights, tissues, notepads, pens, and gift cards. It is essential that these items remain unused, unopened, and packaged.
All filled handbags will be collected and delivered to Abuse Hurts in Newmarket, who will distribute them to local women affected by domestic abuse and local shelters and organizations within the region.
"With 20 volunteer ambassadors supporting over 40 businesses and community groups collecting donations, the Bradford Handbags of Hope campaign is truly a community effort,” says Tina de los Santos of the BWG Women’s+ Group. “Every year we are left feeling so grateful and inspired by the continued kindness and generosity of our neighbours.”
Upcoming Events:
Messages of Hope: Join the group at their Messages of Hope event on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the BWG Library, to make cards which will be placed in all the handbags. We’ll also be joined by special guest speaker, Ellen Campbell, the inspiring founder of Abuse Hurts.
Purse Packing Party: Be part of the effort on Sunday, December 1 from 2-4 p.m. at the BWG Library as we come together to assemble the handbags for distribution.
Register for both events here.
About Abuse Hurts: Headquartered in Newmarket, Ontario, Abuse Hurts is a charitable organization that has been serving Canadians since 1993. The organization's mission is to significantly reduce the incidence and impact of abuse through education and public awareness. Notably, Abuse Hurts operates solely on private donations, without any sustaining funds from government sources. Their primary goal is to raise awareness about the true cost of neglect and abuse while currently supporting numerous organizations nationwide, including children's services, victim's services, shelters, and other agencies that assist tens of thousands of individuals whose lives have been affected by abuse. Abuse Hurts launched their Handbags of Hope collection drive in 2022.
About the Bradford Women's+ Group: Launched in 2018, the Bradford Women's+ Group is a grassroots, women+-led initiative with the primary objective of enhancing the lives of women+ within our
communities. They aspire to create opportunities for women+ to become catalysts of positive change in their personal lives and communities. Open to all women+, the group conducts free monthly sessions that align with their six pillars: empowerment, positivity, community, wellness, learning, and growth.
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