Having a large collection of shoes became a costly habit recently, when Order of the Eastern Star members were asked to make a donation for each pair they own.
There wasn’t much resistance, though, said member Geri Campbell. Money collected throughout B.C. and the Yukon was designated for transition houses, safe homes and second stage housing.
“It is the Worthy Grand Matron’s (Carmen Pierce’s) special project for 2014,” Campbell said. “It has been a lot of fun.”
In a letter to members, Pierce explained her choice for the fundraising effort.
“In discussion with the executive director of the BC Society of Transition Houses, Ms. Shabra Ali, we learn that in 2012, on average 16,000 women stayed at transition homes and safe houses. However, an additional 12,000 women and children had to be turned away due to lack of accommodation. That is pretty sad in this day and age.”
Dina Bambrick, executive director of the Kootenai Community Centre Society, accepted the $484 raised locally from the Shoe Project.
“It is very gratifying that Eastern Star has recognized our organizations provincewide,” she said.
KCCS is using the donation to kick off a fund that will allow for security system upgrades to the organization’s safe house and transition accommodations.