Two local teenagers have gone above and beyond to support local women in the community with Handbags for Hope. Madison and Amber began collecting handbags filled with personal care items in May to go towards the Lloydminster Interval Home Society.
Community Engagement Coordinator for the Interval Home Society Leanne Wildeman says Madison started organizing the event after noticing the needs of women and children in the community through volunteering at the Interval Store and was shortly joined by her friend Amber.
“[It was a huge success, ] lots of donations came in. They did a drop off before Mother Day which was excited because the children in the shelter at that time were able to choose a handbag to give to their mom for mothers day.”
Madison and Amber both went to businesses in Lloydminster to ask for assistance in filling each bag with items needed for women in the community. Wildeman said the girls recognized a need in the community and went to great lengths to fill that void.
“Each bag was unique and had special things in it. It was all things that these women truly need and it brightens their day. So, we’re actually giving these bags out to women that we support that can use a hand up and a little sunshine in their day.”
The teens arrived with their final drop-off of 70 handbags this week which will be given to women at the Interval Society’s emergency shelter, transitional housing and outreach services.
“We are very fortunate in Lloydminster that our youth are engaged and this is definitely a testament to that.”