Southern Manitoba came through for Genesis House in a big way during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The regional shelter for the victims of domestic violence put out its annual November call for donations of pyjamas, comfy clothing, socks, and slippers for both adults and kids, setting up donation drop-off points at the South Central Regional Library branches in Winkler, Morden, Altona, Miami, and Manitou.
Last week, shelter reps picked it all up—and it was quite the haul.
The final tally, shared Sophie Gerbrandt, resource development manager at the shelter, was 51 pairs of adult PJs, 67 children’s PJs, and several more bags full of other comfy accessories.
“It is huge for us,” she said. “Every woman and child who comes into the shelter gets a fresh pair of pyjamas when they walk in so they feel comfortable and at home.”
This past year the shelter has provided safe haven to over 60 women and nearly 70 children, some of whom arrive on their doorstep with not much more than the clothes on their backs.
“They often come with very little,” Gerbrandt said. “If people are leaving in an emergency, they’re not having time to pack a lot.
“To get a pair of PJs or a blanket or something, it’s big for them to know that there’s people in the community that are thinking about them, that they’re not alone in that moment,” she noted. “And who doesn’t love cozying up in a fresh pair of pyjamas, right?”
The results of this annual donation drive takes the shelter through much of the following year.
“This is perfect timing because our shelves are looking empty about now,” Gerbrandt shared. “So it’ll be great for us to restock for the year ahead.”
Genesis House is grateful to the libraries for helping them with the annual donation drive.
“We don’t have a storefront, so you can’t just stop by the shelter,” Gerbrandt said. “So what’s huge for us is to be in all of these communities across southern Manitoba like this, so that people can hear about us and get involved.”
Winkler Library clerk Britany Morgan said SCRL is pleased to be part of the campaign.
“It’s a chance to give back to the community,” she said. “We love to help out, and it’s absolutely needed.”
