Women’s Shelter announces annual Christmas hamper program
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 16, 2023.
The Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society is once again looking for support for its annual Christmas Hamper Program. As part of the program, parents are provided the opportunity to select the gifts their child will receive, and each adult also receives a gift package. The MHWSS Christmas Hamper program is more than 22 years old and organizers say it has grown from supporting a small number of families to more than 100 individuals and families each year. In total,4,906 people have accessed the program since its inception, with 1,821 adults and 3,085 children utilizing it. “Christmas should be a time of joy, but this often isn’t the reality for those experiencing family violence,” said Natasha Carvalho, executive director of the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society. “Many people arrive at shelter with little more than the clothing on their backs. Even as they rebuild their lives, they often have limited financial means.” Those interested in supporting the Christmas Hamper Program are invited to drop off donations of new toys and gifts (for all ages) or gift cards at Sun Valley Honda and Davis GMC Buick from Nov. 14 until Dec. 20. Financial donations are also accepted and can be made online at mhwss.ca, e-transfer to info@mhwss.ca, or mailing a cheque payable to Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society. Box 2500, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8G8. “We want to make sure that a parent doesn’t have to make that tough choice between having presents under the tree for their child, or paying rent and having food on the table,” Carvalho said. “No one should have to make that sort of decision.” 8-7
