Can you help spread comfort and joy in sturdy backpacks?

The Sault Rotaract Club is requesting the community’s help in their second annual holiday drive.

The group will be creating care packs for people living in shelters in Sault Ste. Marie.

Each care pack will start with a sturdy backpack that can continue to be used when they leave the shelter, and will contain a variety of hygiene, entertainment and comfort items.

These everyday accessories and toiletries we take for granted can make a huge difference in providing people in shelters with a greater sense of self­worth, and giving them a hand up during a hard time.

This little bit of support could even open a door that will give them a chance to get a job or give them a fresh start to a new life.

The club is asking the community for help with donations of new or unused items to fill the packs.

In addition to n​ew or lightly used backpacks,​suggested items for the packs can include:

Hygiene and Personal Care Items:

• Shampoo
• Body Wash/Soap o Deodorant
• Nail clippers
• Q­Tips
• Kleenex
• Lip balm
• First Aid Kits

Entertainment:

• Books
• Magazines
• Puzzle Books
• Playing Cards

Comfort Items:

• Socks
• Hats/Mitts
• Blankets

The club’s goal is to pack more than the 70 backpacks we were able to deliver last year.

Community drop box locations have been arranged at both ScotiaBank branches in the Sault (Station Mall and Northern Ave.), as well as at the Rotary Office on Queen St. Deadline for donations is Friday, December 11.

The club is also able to accept monetary contributions toward purchasing items for the packs – and e​very dollar raised in cash donations will be matched by Scotiabank (up to $5,000).​

We can also issue charitable receipts for donations of $20 or more.

Please contact S​[email protected]​ for more information about this.

Please help us make the holiday season a little brighter for those in shelters in our community with a contribution to this project.

Sault Rotaract is a local service club for 18­30 year olds, focusing on community and international service as well as professional development. Rotaract is part of the Rotary International family. 

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