"Project AmeniT's" partners with "Three Crazy Ladies on a Misson"

Over 18 months ago I started "Project AmeniT's".  I collect hotel amenities like shampoo, conditioner, soap, ECT.  With your help we have be able to supply amenities to the Slave Lake Fire, over 350 stocking full of amenities to people in need this past Christmas, and now to "Three Crazy Ladies on a Mission".

I had a meeting with my friend from "Three Crazy Ladies on a Mission" yesterday and the stories I heard broke my heart.  My friend, and founder, of TCLOAM works for a community outreach program.  She works with families who struggle EVERYDAY to feed and provide for their families, but are unable to do so.  The thought of children going without food, is unfathomable to me and I won't stand for it.

I have decided to partner with them and help out these families.  With the amazing group of friends and family I have, I know we can make a difference.

I will be collecting amenities, (shampoo, conditioner, soap, tooth brushes, tooth paste, tampons, pads, razors, diapers, ECT) as per usual.  I am now adding to the list non perishable food items.  I will be collecting all of the above items year round.

There is a desperate need for food right now, so the more, the better.  Even if you see a box of granola bars on sale and donate it, that will make a world of a difference to family who has nothing.  You can leave any items on my front door step or message me and I will pick them up.

Thank you everyone!

Tania

March HipKids Project

Bag a Lunch! (March)

This month we are going to help families who do not have a home with a bagged lunch. The shelter carries basic supplies that a family needs and you can help by collecting these food items for their shelves. Think about what you might like in a bagged lunch; granola bars, juice boxes, crackers or chips. Don’t forget the fun things too like cookies and chocolates! Make sure your items are non-perishable and nut free. If you like, you can decorate brown paper lunch bags or include a personal note describing your favorite sandwich or snack.
Inn from the Cold provides emergency shelter, support and programs to homeless children, their families and others in need, with the goal of building healthy, stable families and ending homelessness.
www.innfromthecold.org

HipKids December Project

Celebrate a Birthday! (December)

This month, we are going to make a birthday kit for the women living in the YWCA’s community housing complex so that they may experience having a birthday party just for them! Your kit could be wrapped in a pan or bowl and include a cake mix, icing, candles, a birthday card and even a small gift.
The YWCA of Calgary operates an affordable housing program for women and their children in the community. Rents are based on a formula according to incomes and there is no maximum length of stay.
www.ywcaofcalgary.com

Project AmentiT's & HipKids Christmas Project a SUCCESS!

Thank you so much to everyone, and there are a lot of you, who made this project such a success!  We were able to donate well over 200 stockings/socks to the Feet Street Program this Christmas season.

I will be running Project AmeniT's all year round, so please keep those amenities and socks coming.

So many people helped and donated, but I must give a special shout out to those listed below for going above and beyond:

Michelle K

Raluca

Leslie

Shawna

DeAnne

Thank you again!

Tania

Project AmeniT's - Got Socks??

Got Socks??

I am so grateful and completely overwhelmed by the response to Project AmeniT's.  We are teaming up with HipKids this November to make as many stockings as possible.  The deadline for this year to have all donations in will be in mid November to have them ready for Christmas.  I will be collecting donations for Project AmeniT's year round, as I am making this an annual thing, so please don't stop the donations in November....keep them coming!!

We do have a slight problem, tons of amenities, NO SOCKS!!  If you are looking for a great way to give back and make someones Christmas a little bit brighter, please donate some new socks.  As we are trying to make children's stocking too, there sock are too small to put things in, so Christmas stocking will be used instead.  We will gladly accept new children's socks to place in their stockings!

Below is a list of things that we still need to make complete stockings:

New Socks (Mens/Womens/Childrens/Enfants)

Tooth Paste

Tooth Brushes

Disposable Razors

Shaving Cream

Baby & Children's Toiletries (soap/diaper cream/shampoo)

Individually Packaged Wipes

Kleenex

Tampons / Pads / Panty Liners

Chap Stick

Small Treats (candy canes/chocolate bars)

Thank you so much for all of your love and support.  Every tiny thing you do, make as huge difference.

HipKids October Project!

Welcome back to HipKids!!

Below is October's Project.  If you are interested in participating, please let me know!

This month’s project is: GIVE THANKS!

INSTRUCTIONS: This month, we are going to help bring a harvest of thankfulness for the moms and their children living at Highbanks. Think of “Homecoming," harvest, autumn, gratitude. You can make a little gift basket (you could use a roasting pan or pie plate) and fill it with items such as a gratitude journal, candles, serving utensils or other table settings, music CD’s. You can also make a harvest centre piece, or package a craft the women could do with their children. You can also write out your favorite holiday recipe or a note, a poem on what you can be thankful for.

Your project needs to be completed and ready for pick up the week of October 24^th, 2011.

IT’S FOR: HIGHBANKS

Young mothers and their children are vulnerable to the cycle of poverty and homelessness. By providing housing and support, Highbanks helps young mothers to reach their full potential by providing a place to live and community support.

Website: www.highbankssociety.ca

Contact: Stephanie @ 403-521-0082

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me!

Thanks for being a part of the H!pKid program!

www.behip.ca

Project AmeniT's...keep the donations coming!!

I have been receiving a few donations here and there, it really gets me excited to see the donations come in! 

Remember, I am collecting hotel and / or travel sized amenities for adults, teens, children, and infants (boys and girls).  I am also collecting BRAND NEW underware and socks.

Thank you so much for your support and keep the donations coming!!

First Donation in for Project AmeniT's!

We have our first donation in for Project AmeniT's!  Our great friend Raluca went on a week long vacation and brought us back a bag full of hotel amenities!  Thank you so much.  Keep the donations coming!  Let's fill some socks!

Project AmeniT's

Before the Slave Lake Crisis, I put out a post about a charity thing I was doing called "Project AmenitT's".  Now that everything has settled down and HipKid's is done until October, I thought I would put into motion.

As you may or may not know, my work back ground is in hotels.  I LOVE hotels.  Whenever I stay at one I always bring my own shampoo, conditioner, body wash, ECT.  Then I started to think, while I may not be using it, someone else could.  From that point on I cleaned out my hotel room of the soaps and such and collected it.  My thought was to make "Stockings" at Christmas for people in need, (men, woman, children, & infants|) filled with amenities.  Ivan can vouch for me, I almost filled up the entire cabinet under our master suite sink with amenities!  Once the Slave Lake Crisis happened, I gladly packaged everything I had and sent them there.

So my request is that you start saving these things for me and hopefully by late November we will have a ton of "stockings" to give out and make someones Christmas just a little bit brighter.

Here is a little of things, but not limited to, of the things I will be collecting.  Please keep in mind, that I need them all to be "travel" size and I am collecting for all sexes and ages.

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Soap
• Body Wash
• Tooth Paste
• Tooth Brush
• New Socks of all sizes
• Razors
• Shaving Cream
• Baby Toiletries (soap, diaper cream, shampoo)
• Individually Packaged Wipes
• Kleenex
• Tampons / Pads / Panty Liners
• Chap Stick

I will keep you posted as to what we are getting a lot of and what we need more of......any progress we make.

Thank you so much!
Tania

"Inn From the Cold", HipKids, and Citadel Fire Donations

I know everyone is feeling overwhelmed and tapped out with so many charities and recent events.  I just want to cover my bases and let you know that the following donations are wrapping up too this week:

"Inn From The Cold":

Earlier this month, I told you that they were falling very short on baby diapers and pull ups, wipes, formula, and diaper cream. 

I will be delivering any donations to them on this Wednesday May 25th.

HipKids May Project: "Deck My Ride"

This month, we are going to help decorate bikes, adaptive bikes and wheelchairs for the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta. Their fundraising event, in September, allows around 300 child and adult participants to walk, run or wheel their way to the finish line. This event helps create a Life without Limits for people affected by cerebral palsy and other disabilities. You can make spoke or handlebar ornaments, seat stickers, bike flags, or donate helmets and bike bells.

I will also be delivering any donations to them this Wednesday May 25th.

Citadel House Fires:

As most of you may know, last Sunday we lost some houses here in Citadel due to fire.  On of the families had no contents insurance.  May people have contacted me this week and asking how they can help.

Citadel Park School is accepting cash and gift cards for this family.  Their son attends this school and was left with nothing.

If you would like to help out, please bring your cash and/or gift cards directly to the school.

Thank you so much for your generosity!

Donations are all done for Slave Lake....THANK YOU!!

It is offical, we are done collecting donations for Slave Lake!

From the very bottom of my heart, I would like to extend the BIGGEST POSSIBLE THANK YOU to all who donated, supported, helped, volunteered, or played any role with helping the victims of Slave Lake.

My circle of friends and family are the best. I am so lucky and fortunate to have you all in my life!

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not. ~Dr. Seuss

Last load off and running!

Second Load off to Slave Lake

When I came home today from picking up some donations, my front door entrance was covered in donations....it just doesn't get better then that!

I was able to call on Hayley Bennett, an angel in all respects, who has been coming to pick up the donations and driving them to Slave Lake.  No only is she making the trips, but stays for hours volunteering where needed.

This afternoon she came by to pick up our second load of goods to take up to Slave Lake!  The donations have been incredible!

I will be collecting donations until Monday evening.  NO CLOTHING PLEASE.  Anything donated after that will be given to "Inn From the Cold".

I am accepting the following:

• Toiletries
• Baby necessities (diapers/formula/wipes ECT)
• Towels / Face Clothes
• Bedding
• New Pillows
• New Sock / New Underware
• Bug Spray & Sunscreen

Please also note if you are interested in making a cash donation, you can do so at www.redcross.ca.

Here are a few pictures from today.

Slave Lake Donations Update #2

Our first round of donations have be delivered to Slave Lake! They are getting a lot of stuff but are a little overwhelmed with the goods vs help sorting the goods. 

I have spoken to Red Cross again today and they are still looking for the above items. NO CLOTHING except for new socks and new underware. With this in mind, I will be collecting goods until the end of day Monday.  Anything that comes in after that date will be going to "Inn From the Cold". 

I can not stress enough how much your generosity moves me. You are all so incredible! Thank you so much!!

First Load of Donations off to Slave Lake

Today we sent off our first round of donations to Slave Lake.  There is another load going out on Saturday morning.  Again, if you wish to donate, your can message me at taniarussell@shaw.ca or drop off at my front door.  I am going to contact Red Cross again tomorrow to see how they are doing with donations and what they still need.  This will determine how long I will run a collection for.  Below is the most current wish list from Red Cross:

• Toiletries (shampoo, tampons, pads, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, ECT)  Please note they are needed for men, woman, children, and infants.
• Diapers / Wipes / Formula
• Towels / Face Clothes
• Pillows / Blankets / Sheets
• Dog & Cat food

Thank you again to all the support and donations!  You are making a difference.  Here are some pictures, enjoy!

Selin Family dropping off donations.

Our first load of donations, ready for pick up.

The loaded trailer off to Slave Lake.

Just spoke to Edmonton Red Cross Re: Slave Lake

I just spoke to the Edmonton Red Cross in regards to what is need in Slave Lake, here is what they said:

• Toiletries
• Bedding
• Pillows / Blankets
• Towels / Face Clothes
• Baby Formula / Diapers
• Dog / Cat Food

I am sending our first shipment off to Slave Lake tomorrow.  We have already collected a ton of stuff!

Thank you to McLean Family who were the first to donate!
Thank you to Selin Family who returned their bottles and used the money to purchase their donations!
Thank you to everyone who has responded!  Your generosity is overwhelming!

Slave Lake Donations Update

I have contacted a lady who is doing all she can to help with the Slave Lake Crisis.  When I spoke with her today, she said she would be making a trip up to Slave Lake tomorrow and again on Saturday.  I would like to have as many hygiene kits available to her by Friday afternoon.  She also mentioned that they need non perishable food as well, I am happy to pass that along as well.

Thank you so much!

Help the victims of Slave Lake - Personal Hygiene Kits

Hello Everyone,

I will be collecting supplies to create personal hygiene kits for the victims (men, women, and children) of the Slave Lake fire.

Here is a list of the things I will be collecting to put in them.  Please note that I will be using large zip lock bags to package the kits, please keep this in mind when donating.

• large zip lock bags
• shampoo / conditioner
• tooth brushes
• tooth paste
• combs
• soap
• new underware / socks
• razors (men and woman) and shaving cream
• face clothes
• kleenex / wet wipes
• tampons / maxi pads
• diapers
• sunscreen
• bug spray
• formula
• gum / chocolate bars / granola bars

If you would like to donate, you can email me at taniarussell@shaw.ca or leave the goods at my front door.

Thank you so much and please donate!  This could be your family in need!

"Inn From The Cold" needs your help!

As you know, I am a coordinator for HipKids.  I got an email from the director saying that they had a meeting with "Inn From the Cold" today and they are in urgent need of the following:

• Diapers Sizes - 1,2,4,5,6
• Training Diapers
• Formula
• Diaper Cream
• Baby Wipes

If you would like to help, you can drop off any goods at the address below or to me.

Thank you!
Tania

Inn from the Cold
#106, 110 - 11th Ave SE
Calgary, AB T2G 0X5
P: (403)263-8384 C:(403)390-1597 F:(403)263-9067
https://remote.innfromthecold.org/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx
https://remote.innfromthecold.org/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx
www.twitter.com/innfromthecold

May's HipKid Project

I dropped off all of the seeds and planters today for the April's HipKids project.  Thank you so much for donating to the Parks Foundation of Calgary and help disadvantaged youth plant flower and vegetable gardens.

Here is May's project.  It is the last one until October.

Deck out my ride! (May)

This month, we are going to help decorate bikes, adaptive bikes and wheelchairs for the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta. Their fundraising event, in September, allows around 300 child and adult participants to walk, run or wheel their way to the finish line. This event helps create a Life without Limits for people affected by cerebral palsy and other disabilities. You can make spoke or handlebar ornaments, seat stickers, bike flags, or donate helmets and bike bells.
Your project needs to be completed and ready for pick up or dropped off the week of May 16th, 2011.
May is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. The vision of the Cerebral Palsy Association is to be a leader in delivering programs and services, educating the public and providing information on treatments and resources relating to cerebral palsy. We advocate on behalf of individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
http://www.cpalberta.com/

If you are interested in donating, please message me and we can set up a pick up / drop off time.

Thank you so much!!
http://www.behip.ca/

Art to support KidSport Update

I have so happy and pleased to say that we have sold 5 out of 7 paintings in support of KidSport.  We only have two left to sell and two blank canvas's left for any custom orders.

Here are the two that are left:

Donovan's "Red Red Rocket"

Simone's "Bunny"

Thank you again for all of your support!  My next up date will hopefully have a grand finale total!