It was a tea party that Queen Victoria herself — whose realm expanded greatly during her reign — would have approved.
The afternoon gathering at The Old Curiosity Tea Shop Saturday helped to launch the growing Fill a Purse for a Sister’s campaign to become a registered charity.
“That will put us in a whole new league,” said founder Angel Freedman, thanking the guests who helped to raise $500 toward the legal fees required to attain the Canada Revenue Agency status that will allow the organization to issue tax receipts to individuals and businesses.
Fill a Purse for a Sister will continue to be supported by volunteers who organize and run the campaign in each community, and collect and deliver mountains of purses and backpacks, Freedman added.
The grassroots campaign, held annually from September to December, provides purses and backpacks to women and youth in shelters and crisis centres across the country.
Freedman, a Stouffville-based social worker, first launched the campaign in York Region in 2014, with Newmarket being among the first communities to get involved in the initiative that captured the hearts of residents and businesses.
Participants donate new and gently used purses filled with specially chosen items to women and youth in shelters, with the campaign blossoming from 1,500 purses going to a few shelters in its first year to almost 10,000 purses and backpacks going to shelters in communities across York Region, the province and country last year.
"It is time to take the next step in our evolution so we can help those in need even further by partnering with more organizations, businesses and individuals across Canada wishing to help women and youth in shelters," she added.
“Thank you, you are making a difference," said Freedman, also acknowledging Markham shop owner Adam Clements who hosted the event in the authentic Victorian tea room setting.
You can make a donation to support the campaign on its GoFundMe page, or to learn more about Fill a Purse for a Sister, visit Facebook.
