Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Innovative fundraiser lets people support Kelowna Women's Shelter just by sending a text message

 Kelowna, B.C., November 27, 2013

The Kelowna Women’s Shelter is hoping a new fundraising campaign that allows supporters to donate right from their smart phones by sending a text message will help top up the organization’s coffers over the holiday season and raise awareness about the shelter.

The campaign reminds people a donation of as little as $10 can help change a life. By simply texting the word SHELTER to the number 20222 and a $10 contribution will be added to their smart phone bill.

“For women who’ve fled an abusive home with their children, the Christmas season can be particularly difficult,” points out Kathleen Lemieux, Resource Development Coordinator at the Kelowna Women’s Shelter. “If this campaign makes it easier for people to support the valuable work the Shelter is doing, we can have a bigger impact on the lives of women and children in our community.”

This is the first time the Women’s Shelter has undertaken a texting-based fundraising campaign, which it hopes will grab the attention of a younger group of potential supporters.

“We believe this campaign may be just what we need to engage donors in the 18 to 30-year-old demographic,” says Lemieux. “By offering the opportunity to give a smaller amount of money in such a simple fashion, we can begin building community support in new ways.”

The campaign is slated to run through the end of the year, and will be promoted on radio and on the Shelter’s website, and Twitter and Facebook feeds.


Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Winter 2013-14 Shelter Newsletter is now online!


Rethinking the Stereotypes 

I don’t fit the stereotype of an abused woman. At least not the one I always carried around in my head. I’m university educated. A respected professional and busy mom. From the outside looking in, it probably seemed I had it all: A successful husband, a beautiful home, great kids, my own career and interests, and a large network of close friends and family.

But from the inside looking out, my reality was different.

At 22, just out of university, I married the man I loved. Smart and charming, he had a wry wit, sharp conversational abilities and a boyish, fun-loving nature that appealed to my own sense of joie de vivre. He was also a bully; selfish and narcissistic, emotionally immature, quick to anger and even quicker to yank his love and support out from under me if I didn’t perform exactly as he wanted.

As a lifetime over-achiever who still struggles with self-esteem, I felt lucky he had chosen me. I convinced myself when he diminished me, called me names, defined me by my mistakes and listed my many flaws he was trying to help me be a better person. I believed him when he said it was all my fault. That if I would only do or say things differently he wouldn’t be forced to act the way he did.

Read more of this article and about various Shelter facts & events in our newsletter (PDF) here >>

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Things Are Ramping Up for Christmas at the Shelter

Things are really ramping up for Christmas now. Gifts are arriving at the shelter, the winter newsletter is complete and we are all busy preparing for the many upcoming events and activities. Thanks to all the Volunteers, Board members and Staff who came out and helped with the Thrift Store move and third party events. It is so nice to see so much support from within the shelter and the donors really appreciate it

  • The Thrift Store- We received tremendous support from the community, staff and volunteers with the Thrift Store move. A special shout out to staff members Jan and Jessi who came to volunteer their time. Karen Leboe has been working very hard on all the logistics. We are now at the new location at #6-368 Industrial finishing up some construction work and should be open in a week or so. We’ll keep you posted.
  • Cedar Creek Women and Wine Event- This popular event raised awareness and $2272 in cash and gift cards plus a van full of non-perishable food items and cleaning products. Wow! Thanks to all who volunteered on that cold day: Alice, Sharon B., Tracey, MJ, Jan, Morgan and Judy.
  • 2nd Annual Melanie Lyne Fashion Show Fundraiser What a fun time we had. The clothes were so beautiful. Thanks to the lovely models, including our very own Crystal, and board members who spoke – Alice and Gail. The event raised $760 for the shelter.
  • The Sensai-tional Ladies Night at the Cove was a very well attended and organized event. Great fun and food was had by all. Thanks to Sharon B, Gail, Crystal and the 10 volunteers who attended and represented the shelter. We should be receiving word soon on the totals raised.
  • The Well Church –Members from the Well church came out to the shelter once again to help us out and painted our main entrance room – it looks all fresh and bright.