As the 2014 holiday season comes to a close, the YWCA is grateful for the many gift-in-kind donations and cash donations we received to support vulnerable women and their children.

Gift-in-kind donations and cash donations this past year included 725 pairs of pajamas donated by Spectra Energy, which will keep women and children in a YWCA shelter and housing program warm on cold winter nights; 951 blankets from Urban Barn which will create a sense of security and comfort for women and children fleeing domestic violence; and non-perishable food items from Calgary Co-op which will allow the YWCA to offer healthy food options.

In addition to the above items, YWCA shelter and housing programs received tickets to Beauty and the Beast the musical and Calgary ZOOLIGHTS which families in the YWCA Parent Link Corridor programs also enjoyed.

These generous donations were distributed through YWCA’s efficiently run and centrally managed supply-chain process to ensure every single woman and child under a YWCA roof did not go without a gift this holiday season.

Gifts the YWCA receives over the holidays are some of the most valued of the year.   However, the time for giving does not end with the holiday season.  Each night at the YWCA, more than 200 women find safety and warmth in one of our shelter and housing programs.  Many are provided with basic needs items and warm winter clothing when they arrive at the YWCA, often with nothing.

The YWCA appreciates the wonderful gift-in-kind donations.  They provide YWCA clients with the feeling of warmth and comfort throughout the year, but the most valuable contribution that provides the ability to continue supporting vulnerable women and their children through the many programs and services are cash donations.  Our donors help us empower women to move from a place of vulnerability to one of sustainable strength and opportunity.