Taylor Bertoli of Abbott Wealth Management show what items could be placed in a donated shoebox. (Image Credit: Chad Klassen / CFJC Today)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

shoebox project

Kamloops Shoebox Project gathering donations to be distributed to women in need

Dec 2, 2021 | 4:48 PM

KAMLOOPS — Come Christmas Day, hundreds of women throughout the city will be opening up specially crafted boxes from the Kamloops Shoebox Project. All containing something sweet, something thoughtful, something warm, and something useful.

The local chapter is headed by sisters Marisa and Taylor Bertoli – who hope the boxes can lift the spirits of women who might be going through a difficult time, or have been impacted by homelessness.

“We believe that by empowering one woman, we can lift up the entire community and cause a ripple effect, not only through the City of Kamloops, but through generations,” Taylor Bertoli told CFJC.

Organizers are busy gathering shoebox donations over the next two weeks to be distributed to marginalized women, women transitioning out of an unsafe living situation, or women impacted by homelessness.

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Those who put together a box to donate are asked to put extra thought into what they’re purchasing to donate, and include items that they would want for themselves. Each box is asked to have about a $50 value.

“Approximately 400 boxes is kind of where we hover around,” explains Bertoli, “Of course every year we want to grow and grow. Last year we had many donations online because of COVID, so we were able to do the combination of shoeboxes and giftcards to the shelters. So we get to communicate, see what they need most, and try to help out the best we can that way.”

Shoeboxes will be distributed to organizations in Kamloops that support women in need – including the Elizabeth Fry Society of Kamloops, Emerald Hostel, Eway Kamloops Youth Housing, Family Tree, the First Steps Program, Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre, and the Y Emergency Woman’s Shelter.

The Bertoli sisters have been doing the shoeboxes for three years now, and Taylor says they’ve been able to see the positive impact firsthand.

“We’ve been told in previous years that this is the only gift that they’ve received all year long so they save it until Christmas morning so that they can open it up, and they have a gift as well.”

Shoeboxes are due by Dec. 15 at Abbott Wealth Management office in Sahali, but online donations will be accepted even after Christmas.

“If you get around to it towards the end of the holidays, that will carry on into the next year, so we’re still able to put that into the community.”

To learn more about the Kamloops Shoebox Project, or donate, click here.