Posted by Jim Forestell on Jan 01, 2019
During the conference, Partners will have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on project to make life a little more bearable for some Winnipeg women. Our conference will collect and fill handbags for distribution through several shelters in our city
 
For several years, “Handbags of Hope Winnipeg” has been collecting gently used purses filled with useful items, such as new socks and panties, feminine hygiene products and toiletries, and distributed them to women who are homeless or live in shelters.
 
Rotarians can become involved by donating gently used purses and basic useful items.
 
In an article 3 years ago Free Press columnist Jen Zoratti noted that these kits meet practical and emotional needs. "Many women living on the margins feel isolated, invisible and ignored," Zoratti wrote. "A project such as this offers a chance to show empathy. So many women get forgotten, and that’s tough to take. If you reflect on women in shelters and the things they’re going through, you feel the need to give back. It’s something we all can do."
 
We will be putting together a comprehensive list of suitable items, the size of the gently used purse we are looking for, and how to get them to the conference on time to let the project proceed. We hope that every Rotary Club in District 5550 will help us with this important initiative.
 
The Rotary Club of Kenora, host of the 2019 Conference, has already promised a substantial donation to help this project succeed.
 
Watch the Conference website, soon to be launched, and Charleswood Rotary on Facebook for more details.