Angel Freedman is dreaming of a mountain of purses.
Ten thousand purses, to be exact.
Purses filled with practical things, from tissues to tampons, and the usual essentials, from lip balm and gum to gift cards and hair clips, all destined for women and youth at nine shelters across the GTA.
The aptly named Fill a Purse for a Sister campaign is entering its fourth year — growing from a collection of 1,500 purses going to a few shelters in the first year to 6,000 purses and backpacks going to nine shelters last year.
Freedman, a Markham-based social worker and founder of Angel’s Garage, a charity that distributes used clothing to people in need, spearheaded the campaign in York Region after learning about a similar project in Texas.
“I knew immediately that I wanted — and needed — to bring this initiative here,” she said.
The campaign was an instant success, with local women embracing the opportunity to give a new or gently used purse to a woman or teenager in a shelter.
“For most women, our purse goes everywhere with us, but most women and youth in shelters don’t have a purse,” Freedman said. “The purse drive offers the gift of dignity to women at risk.”
Last year, backpacks were added to the campaign following a request by local youth shelters.
As the word spread, mostly by social media, Freedman began getting calls from across the province from women asking how they could get involved in their communities.
Newmarket was one of the original communities involved, and now purses and backpacks are also being donated across York Region — Aurora, Mount Albert, Sharon, Markham, Stouffville, Richmond Hill, Thornhill and Keswick.
Other towns and cities joining the campaign are Bradford, Innisfill, Barrie, Uxbridge, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Beaverton, Orillia, Guelph, Whitby, Toronto, North York, Burlington, Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, Thornton, St. Albert, Alberta, Ottawa and Sudbury.
Local businesses provide drop-off locations for the campaign, running to Dec. 1.
In Newmarket, you can drop off your purse and backpack donations at Still in Style Resale Boutique on Main Street.
To contribute to the campaign, simply fill a new or gently used purse or backpack with toiletries, sanitary products and other personal items. Add your own special touch, such as a scarf, gloves, notebook or journal, or a gift card. You can host a Fill a Purse for a Sister party or event to involve your family and friends. Anything is welcome, other than food.
For more information about how to get involved or to volunteer, or where to drop off your donations in your community, visit 'fillapurseforasister' on Facebook or Instagram. Freedman can be reached at [email protected]
