Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling

By Jill Sperling

SHOEBOX PROJECT

Organizers of local Shoebox Project hope for last-minute burst of generosity to reach goal

Dec 5, 2019 | 4:47 PM

KAMLOOPS — Piles of festive gift boxes can be found throughout the offices of Abbott Wealth Management.

The company is once again the collection point for the fourth annual Shoebox Project in Kamloops.

“As of yesterday there were approximately 150 boxes,” said Marisa Bertoli, one of the organizers, “but then, as the day goes on it was crazy how many people were coming in, so I would say over 200 now.”

Each box is packed with around $50 worth of items to make women feel special and valued.

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“I know a lot of women go to the store, leave things out for themselves, make sure their children are taken care of and leave out the little things that help them feel good,” said Cher Sanderson, another organizer at Abbott Wealth Management, “and these boxes are full of that. You’ve got face masks, hand lotion, some mascara, it just makes people feel good.”

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling

Some people choose to include a personal note or cherished item.

“A friend of my sisters came in a while ago and she put together her box very thoughtfully,” said Taylor Bertoli, who has also been organizing the local Shoebox Project, “but there was one thing that she had in there, she went through a rough time in her life about 35 years ago, and somebody passed along this little pocket angel, and this angel she kept in her pocket for years and years for good luck, and she put that angel into the box to pass it on to somebody else.”

Volunteers have carefully looked over each shoebox to ensure every box has a similar value and every woman receives good quality items.

“Going through the boxes, it’s like you open a box and you see all these beautiful things that you personally would even love to get,” said Marisa Bertoli. “It’s just so cool to see the thought that goes into that.”

The boxes will be handed out to women who access services at a variety of agencies, including the Family Tree Family Centre.

“Many of our moms are single moms, they don’t have anyone buying them gifts, so it’s really special to them,” said the centre’s executive director, Susan Wright. “And, not only that, because it comes from the community it really shows the moms that attend our centre how much the community cares about them.”

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling

Kimberly Beesley has been using the services of the Family Tree Family Centre for more than a decade. She has received a shoebox for the past four years.

“I remember the first year we got the shoeboxes it was amazing,” Beesley said. “It was the only gift I got that year for myself and every year it’s a fun surprise. I usually take it home and put it under my tree and I usually open it on Christmas.”

Friday (Dec. 6) is the final day to drop off boxes at Abbott Wealth Management, located at 1211 Summit Drive.

“Dec. 6 is the last day,” Taylor Bertoli said, “but you can still donate online and then if it doesn’t go to boxes this year, it will carry over to next year to contribute to boxes in the local chapter.”

Organizers are still hoping to reach their goal of 400 boxes before the deadline.

For more information on what can be contained in the boxes or to make a donation visit the Shoebox Project’s website.