Discussions

This year I am making up Christmas socks for the homeless. My family did this when we lived close to Winnipeg and took them to the Siloam Mission.  
Items of need are put in heavy socks and given out as a Christmas treat. Things that we take for granted and use everyday are very much needed by others. If you want the list of items that was usually put in socks please send me a pm. Thanks

I saw on facebook a woman was making gift bags for parents with babies in the nicu over the holidays

Those are good ideas!  
Any others out there?

dueindecember said "I saw on facebook a woman was making gift bags for parents with babies in the nicu over the holidays "

thats so nice to receive when an unexpected emergency puts your baby in the nicu  
 
there used to be volunteers to hold babies too but im not sure if that is still going here and there is also a group that donates keepsakes for parents with stillborns, which is very much appreciated in such a sad time, also baby blanket donations, volunteering at seniors centers ect  
 
besides health care related needs i have heard of people making up old purses full of personal and hygiene supplies to give to homeless women which imo sounded nice

the CPC on princess ave is always accepting donations of diapers, formula, maternity clothes, gently used baby clothes, etc.  
They also run the relatively new Kairos maternity home, which is accepting donations as well - food, blankets, kitchen items, etc.

That are just not nice enough for people to use, you can donate them to the pound.  
 
I know they appreciate them for the animals. Old pillows, that kind of stuff. People may not want to use them due to dust mites, but stray cats and dogs can.

Elspeth Reid  
Women's Shelter  
Crisis Pregnancy  
Samaritan House  
Hospital, NICU, toys/books to children's ward etc.  
Soup Kitchen  
Christmas Cheer Hampers  
Westman Christmas Dinner  
Adopt a family  
Animal Shelter  
Schools  
Coats for Kids  
Toyota full of Toys  
Big Brothers and Sisters  
I think the firehall or police station take stuffed animals for kids in an accident etc.  
Westman Immigrant Services  

Strays that can't pay. For of you who aren't familiar with us. We are a volunteer run animal rescue that helps educate, provide financial assistance with vetting, donates food and supplies, takes in animals who are in need of homes, neuters and spays animals to help control stray populations. We are always in need of assistance: financial, food, blankets and animal supplies donations, volunteers, drivers, adoptees, and of course fosters. We have transported stray animals to shelters in BC, Sask, Manitoba, and Ontario. Many of you maybe familiar with Arco, he is under our care and we are working to provide him with treatments. www.straysthatcantpay.ca

Housing First is another great initiative. They are looking to assemble home starter kits, among other things.  
 
http://brandonhousingfirst.ca/contribute/

Does anyone know where one can donate books please?

lots of great ideas here! I will be sure to look into them, I am wanting to do as much good as I can, and to encourage others to do the same.

Books: I took some children's books to Elspeth Reid on 9th Street for them to give away to the children that wanted them.  
 
Adult books could go to Oasis (on Eighth Street by the YMCA) or Seniors for Seniors on Park Avenue East.  
 
If you have a purse you no longer use, fill it with shampoo, conditioner, soap, lip gloss, socks, etc and keep it in your car. Should you see a homeless woman, hand it to her. This was a project in Winnipeg and they collected a thousand purses to distribute to various woman based agencies and on the street.  
 
I was thinking of doing the similar thing with some of the gently used back packs but for men. Same shampoo, conditioner, maybe some razors, a comb, and a pair of socks.  
 
These last two items could go to that Bannok in the Park program. There is Women's Resource Centre on Princess at 8th Street that might like the purses that they can hand out. Meredith House is run by the YWCA for both men and women. It is on 11th Street between Rosser and Princess. They were thrilled with a bag of shampoos and conditioners that my daughter left in her bathroom. They may like purses and backpacks for their clients (but make sure there is nothing with alcohol such as mouthwash or hand sanitizer).  
 
Did you bring the shampoo etc from the hotel and then never use it? Ask at the Assiniboine Centre if their clients could use it. Many arrive without anything and friends that cannot afford to buy them stuff like this.  
 
The new recreation director at Valleyview Personal Care Home was looking for help to get the place decorated. Send me a message for his contact information.  
 

Those are awesome ideas!