Calgary Woman's Emergency Shelter

Adopt a Family Holiday Program

The Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter invites you to join us and support women and their families during the holidays through our Adopt A Family Holiday Program.

This 2011 holiday season, we have a new list of families and many more children who need your support.

One of the clients who participated in the program last year, had these words of thanks for the donor:

“There are few organizations in this world that really understand what it takes for a family who have recently suffered personal trauma in their lives, to begin the overwhelming task of putting the broken foundation back together, I want to thank you for the generous support you have shown my family and want you to know that it has had a positive impact on us as we move forward towards a better life. The gift of support not only helped meet our physical needs but it was a great comfort to know that there are others within the community of Calgary that are walking along with us silently supporting our journey.

Thank you again for the encouragement of what you have given.

May you be truly blessed this year.”

Each year, our supporters purchase gift cards or make financial contributions (that we will convert to gift cards) to give to our clients. Our goal is to help all the women and their families who have accessed our services this year with a $100 grocery gift card and a $100 retail gift card for each member of the family, and help families using our services over the next year.

The gift cards allow the mothers to make choices that serve them best. Perhaps for one mother that means buying winter boots for her little girl or replacing a unique toy lost when fleeing an abusive home. Through the Adopt A Family Holiday Program you will give families tools to embrace their independence, and empower them with choice during the holidays. Please pass on this excitement to women and children struggling to create a life free of abuse.

One of the most significant benefits of this program is clients will get exactly the right gifts and enjoy the foods they love. Giving gift cards allows women who may not have been able to shop for their families the opportunity to choose exactly what they need. It also gives our clients the dignity they so deserve as they shop for themselves and their children. Your gift will play a vital role in relieving holiday stress for those who struggle to make ends meet.

Here’s how to participate…

1. Choose your giving goals. Decide on the number and size of families you wish to assist and then plan your fundraising strategy. The average family that comes into the shelter is a woman with two children; however, this year we had an increase in the proportion of children staying at the shelter.
   
   • For one adult - $100 for food and $100 for gifts ($200 total).
   • For an adult and child - $200 for food and $200 for gifts ($400 total).
   • For an adult and four children - $500 for food and $500 for gifts etc ($1000 total).

2. Organizations and their employees or individuals can purchase gift cards from Superstore, Wal-Mart Safeway Zellers, or simply make a financial contribution to the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter and we will purchase the most needed gift cards on your behalf.
3. Please include a Christmas card to the families you are giving to, expressing your wishes for them during the holiday season. We will give the card to them with your gift cards.
4. Fill in the enclosed forms with the gift cards and receipts for each and mail to:

Please call me with any questions about the
Adopt A Family Holiday Program.

We look forward to your continued support.

Sincerely,

Peta Glezerson
Resource Development Specialist
Phone: 403-539-5126
Email: petag@cwes.ca
www.calgarywomensshelter.com