Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

WOMEN HELPING WOMEN

Purse campaign collecting essential items for Kamloops women’s shelter

Nov 8, 2024 | 1:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — For the seventh year in a row, a Kamloops woman is collecting purses filled with essentials and holiday gift items for women staying in shelter.

Each year Patti Phillips spends weeks collecting donations of new or gently used purses, filled with key items to be given out to women in need.

“One of the most important things is socks or mitts and gloves because they give them to the women’s shelter, and they also give them to some of the women on the street and their feet and hands get wet. So having an extra pair of that is great, or a toque and a scarf is great too,” explains Phillips. “But mostly the stuff that you use every day. Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, a hairbrush, all that kind of stuff.”

This year’s campaign is off to a bit of a slower start, but Phillips has noticed people finding creative ways to keep the effort affordable.

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“There’s been a lot of organizations and even groups of women that are getting together and doing it together as a group so it’s not quite so expensive, but they’re still giving and that makes them happy too,” Phillips says.

Several businesses have collection boxes set up and purses can also be dropped off at the North Shore Business Improvement Association (NSBIA) office along Tranquille Road. Donations will be collected until Dec. 11. On Christmas Day, the women’s shelter distributes the purses to those staying with them.

Over the years, Phillips says she has heard directly from some of the women who received a purse, and that’s part of what drives her to keep organizing the collection each year.

“I’ve actually had a couple of them that have come and spoke to me, and one wrote me a little thank you note. It really gets you in the heart, knowing that I’m helping anybody, especially when they’re going through so much,” she reiterates. “Whether they’re being abused or what it is, they don’t have any money, they don’t have anything and they can’t see a way out. The littlest bit of kindness from these amazing people in Kamloops, it goes so much farther than they can even imagine. So if you can, please help.”

Inquiries about the purse collection campaign can be directed to Phillips at 250-376-2411.