Wendy’s Annual Gift Card Campaign
Background
I am the founder of an annual gift card campaign that helps EMPOWER families to REBUILD their lives free from domestic abuse.
The campaign started, in 2013, at my kitchen table over wine and cheese! I invited friends and family to drop off a grocery store gift card to support women and children fleeing abuse during the holidays.
Since then, the event has grown significantly, with the collection of online funds to help purchase gift cards. With the support of generous donors over the years, the campaign helped raise $32,373.25 in gift cards from 2013 to 2021. The gift cards supported families accessing services at WIN House a non-profit agency, in Edmonton, Alberta, operating three shelters, WIN 1, WIN II, and Carol’s House.
In 2022 and 2023, the campaign supported S.H.A.D.E. (Safe Housing and Directed Empowerment) Inc., an initiative in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Charitable Registration # 829036177RR0001). Thank you to everyone who supported the Annual Gift Card Campaign in support of SHADE. In 2023, we raised $2,555.00 to purchase gift cards for clients impacted by domestic abuse, and in 2022, we raised $3,515.16.
For more information about the programs and services offered by SHADE, visit www.shadewinnipeg.org/.
A gift card helps immigrant women and their children rebuild their lives during and after accessing SHADE’s programs and services. The campaign is unique and supports many families in various ways. Rather than donating actual food or household items, the ask is that you donate gift cards from local stores (e.g., grocery stores such as No Frills, Giant Tiger, Superstore, Safeway, Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, FreshCo or any other accessible and affordable place). This provides families with the freedom to select food based on their dietary needs, the opportunity to shop for necessities (e.g., an air mattress or baby formula) and the empowerment to purchase what else they may need beyond household items. You may also wish to donate any unused/unwanted gift cards or provide a gift card to a restaurant, Cineplex movie theatre, coffee shop, bookstore, or local clothing store.
When families are escaping abusive homes, they are often faced with financial and transportation barriers. Pre-paid Uber or gas store gift cards (e.g., Esso & Mobil eGift Cards) are extremely helpful for an immigrant woman facing challenges with transportation to a court support meeting or SHADE’s support group.
