Ideas for Christmas Donations to Women's Abuse Shelter

[DumboPrincess]

Hi everyone! I work for a wonderful retail company that believes in giving back to the community. Our company is donating $250, 000 to the Breast Cancer Foundation in October and encourages all stores to reach out to battered women's shelters at Christmas and Mother's Day with donations. I participated for Mother's Day, but this is my first Christmas with the company. For Mother's Day we made a wonderful basket full of goodies, but only touched 1 mom.

I would like to do more. For Christmas I would like to reach out to at least 10 women and/or their kids. So I need some suggestions. What would you put in each woman's basket/package that she would use, need and enjoy that would brighten her holiday? Give me some inspiartion! Thanks!

 

[pfishgirl]

How about a Basket to help her still feel Beautiful..

Make up, Hair products, Buff Puff, Shower gels, Face Creams, Body lotions, Perfume, etc etc..

 

[ducklite]

I agree, a basket of "girlie" stuff. I'd include emery boards and nail polish, clear lip gloss or balm, some bath gel, hand cream. (I'd stay away from perfumes and hair products--unless you know exactly what they want/need.)

I'd also add in a small box of Godiva chocolates or something decadent along those lines.

For kids it's really best to get a list of wants and go from there. I would suggest going for smaller items because what I've been told is that there is generally not a ton of storage space at the shelters. Match Box cars, Polly Pockets type dolls, books, travel size checkers games, Uno cards, stuff like that.

That's really nice of you to do!

 

[EthansMom]

Could you contact the shelter and find out what kind of items would be most helpful? I would think that many of these families would have little-to-nothing and would need basics (toothbrushes, shampoo, toothpaste, soap) before they would need extras.

Hats and mittens for Mom and the kids would be great... and not terribly expensive. I also agree that small toys for the kids would be good: Hot Wheels, Polly Pockets, Littlest Pet Shop, etc...

 

[MAKmom]

Hair cuts. They will be looking for jobs & a good haircut would help.


An abuse shelter is not the same as a homeless shelter. Many of the woman are in hiding from the abuser. The police can not protect you until the abuser is locked up for good. So they are not always without any means. But they have limited means.

 

[ducklite]

As an FYI, please save your unused hotel soaps and shampoos, any sample packs you get in the mail, etc. that you don't want and donate them to a shelter. DH and I have been donating to one for years now, and it's really helped them to use money that they would need for that type of thing for other programs to help their clients.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Luggage, tote bags, backpacks. Lots of times they have to leave everything behind. Then when they start to get donated items, they have no place to keep everything.

Gift certificates for grocery stores, hair cutting places, places where they can get school supplies, Target.

 

[DumboPrincess]

Thank you for the Great responses! Esp. about small size toys. That reminded me about party packs of playdoh they sell at K-B. That would be good too, I think. Keep those AWESOME ideas coming!

The company I work for sells bath items so on my list already are:

shower gel
soft socks
slippers
lotion
hand soap
emery boards (LOVED that idea)
manicure sets (since it is a personal care issue)
loofah

And ideas for outside my store I have:
a fun magazine to read (would get diff. ones so they could be passed around)
grocery gift card
disp. camera, small photo album and gc to Walgreens/CVS to develop film
phone card

Keep those ideas coming! Any we can't incorporate for Christmas we will use for Mother's Day!

 

[NCRedding]

Our local shelter always has a tremendous need for feminine supplies--not something that you would want to put in a gift basket, but something that is needed nonetheless. They also ususally have a need for diapers, formula and cleaning supplies.

I agree with the above posters--any beauty items would probably be really appreciated.

 

[ducklite]

Tweezers and nail clippers. Onesies (I probably spelled that wrong) in a variety of sizes for babies.

If you just want to give something generic to the shelter, I'll tell you what they need desperately--feminine hygiene products! (ETA--Oops, just saw the post above me already suggested this. I keep an eye on Walgreens and CVS and when I can get them free using rebates and ECB's I do so and donate them.)

 

[Cool-Beans]

Cash. It might not be as fun for you, but it is what those women need the most.

 

[lookingforward]

Lots of great ideas. I am a victim advocate who works with abused women (and men). Since the shelters can't divulge much about their residents and those residents change frequently it is best, in my opinion, to give one fits all kind of gifts. Gift certificates are better than lotions, kits, etc. because each women has different skin issues, etc. We persuaded a local hair salon to open one evening for make overs (cut, color, make up, nails) and gave each women a gift basket with certificates (target, toys r us, CVS, amex, etc). The salon was closed to the public and the windows were covered for privacy. It was a great party with refreshments, music, and a feeling of safety. A clothing store rep met with the women at the beauty salon and helped them pick out something special. (make sure you have all sizes so no one feels left out). The kids were entertained with movies and snacks. It worked but it was a small group.

Abused women are used to doing without emotionally, physically and spiritually. They are often wary of people they do not know and have had the control over their own lives taken away by their abusers. This is why I feel it is important to do something specifically for them alone (makeovers, clothes, etc) along with the gift certificates. I can assure you that when they get those certificates they will use them for their kids, families, food, etc (which is great but again...leaves them out). Allowing them to purchase things for themselves gives them back a little of the power that they have lost. And making them feel better with a good haircut and some new make up empowers their spirit.

 

[Mkrop]

how about notepads and pens/pencils?

also maybe some puzzle books to pass the time

 

[powellrj]

now is a great time to pick up backpacks on sale for their kids.

I remember reading that many times they are left to carry their possessions in a grocery sack so backpacks for their personal items that can then be used at school were a suggestion give.

 

[ducklite]

A few years back I was in the Disney Store and they had the backpacks marked down to $.99, I bought about 20 of them (all that were left) and donated them to a local food pantry. Most food pantry's will also very happily accept things like school supplies, diapers & wipes, and paper & cleaning products.

 

[lookingforward]

A few years back I was in the Disney Store and they had the backpacks marked down to $.99, I bought about 20 of them (all that were left) and donated them to a local food pantry. Most food pantry's will also very happily accept things like school supplies, diapers & wipes, and paper & cleaning products.

Great idea! We help out at the emergency children's shelter each holiday season. It is a place that temporarily holds kids that are removed from their parent's custody when there is no foster care open. Anyhow, I was heartbroken to learn that when the kids get the word that it is time to move on (back home or to a more permanent foster assignment) they are told to put their things in big garbage bags. Just the symbolism of this is horrible, like their stuff is disposable. Back packs would be awesome.

 

[goofinoff]

Could you contact the shelter and find out what kind of items would be most helpful? I would think that many of these families would have little-to-nothing and would need basics (toothbrushes, shampoo, toothpaste, soap) before they would need extras....

This is what I was going to suggest. I have been involved in holiday gifts for a women's shelter as well and the director told me that most of these women leave their homes with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. A lot of them sneak out in the middle of the night or leave when the abuser isn't home. So for the most part, anything you give them will be greatly appreciated.

 

[DumboPrincess]

Thank you guys for all the great suggestions! I will keep my eyes peeled for backpacks, that is an awesome idea!

I was thinking a book, couple of small toys for each kid and some socks and t-shirts (undershirts). Also some pencils, crayons, paper, etc. I already told my team the plan, so everyone can plan ahead. It seems if you don't nobody has funds that time of year.

Thanks again for all the FABULOUS suggestions! You guys ROCK!

 

[pfishgirl]

I work with a Child shelter for Runaways and Abused Teens.. Travel Size items are Always something they are looking for.. I send them all our Hotel supplies eveytime we come back from a trip.. And the girls LOVE the mickey imprinted soaps..