INNISFAIL – Employees at Paul’s No Frills Innisfail were determined to make a difference this year.
They wanted to do something special for the holiday season.
And then came an email.
Maria Van Beek, the front end store manager, was the one who recently received a notice about the Shoebox Project.
“I just put it in the chat for everybody to let's see what we can do, and then let's see if we can give somebody a good Christmas,” said Van Beek.
With store owner Paul Begg fully on board, Van Beek ensured the Shoebox Project was a go, and soon there was 15 employees all on board to create a special holiday season gift for many women in need.
The idea behind the Shoebox Project is to fill a standard-sized decorated shoebox with about $50 worth of gifts and essentials that any woman would enjoy, and to include a warm greeting or message of support.
The participating employees then filled each of the 12 boxes with toothpaste, a toothbrush, deodorant, conditioner, hair barrettes, soaps, bath bombs and a $10 gift card.
“It’s quite a thing to be able to help somebody else especially at this time of year,” said Van Beek. “It’s awesome.”
Last week the 12 boxes were delivered to a Calgary women’s shelter where many women in need would know there were good people in the world who cared.
“At Christmas time this gives you a really nice warm feeling, and that's the time when you really want to give back,” said Mitzi Munro, a local No Frills cashier.
She added the women’s shelter program is a cause that is dear to her heart.
“Of course it is. I'm female and I know how hard it is. It's easy enough to fall on hard times,” said Munro. “And it's nice to know that there are people that will come in and support you and that they really do care about what does happen to you.”
Munro’s colleague Bailey Dykstra, who is also a store cashier, said she was excited to be a part of the store’s Shoebox Project.
“I'm shocked with how many we got but we all worked together. I made a box and we split the cost and put it together,” said Dykstra. “It's to help women who need help, and it’s to support them.
“If I could help them I would do it again.”
