A local grassroots initiative with national reach is once again calling on the community to help brighten the holidays for women and gender-diverse individuals living in shelters and transitional housing. The Shoebox Project for Women—now in its 12th year in Simcoe County and Simcoe–Grey—is officially accepting donations for its 2024 campaign, with a goal of collecting more than 800 gift-filled shoeboxes by December 13.
“This is a very incredible project. It is something very near and dear to my heart,” said longtime organizer Shannon Murree, who brought the initiative to the region more than a decade ago. “I’ve always been about empowering women, girls, children, [and] gender-diverse individuals… and how can I make a difference in the city and the community?”
A Simple, Meaningful Way to Give Back
The concept is simple: donors fill a decorative shoebox with about $50 worth of high-quality, non-perishable “luxury items”—things that help recipients feel cared for and remembered during what can be an emotionally difficult time of year.
“It can be a sports organization, it can be a school, it can be family, colleagues, an office,” Murree explained. “You can host a party and tell everyone to bring something… It’s just a way to get everybody involved and teach about activism and philanthropy.”
Handwritten notes are especially meaningful, she added. Last year, a local hockey team filled boxes and included personal cards, something Murree described as “the pièce de résistance,” reminding recipients “that they’re not forgotten and that they can get through the situation.”
A New Generation of Leadership—With the Same Community Spirit
After coordinating the project locally for 11 years, Murree has passed the baton to Samira Rashidian-Zadeh, who now leads the Simcoe–Grey campaign. Murree continues to serve as a board director for the national organization.
“It was really important to me for the inclusion and the cultural aspect of everybody feeling included and welcome,” she said, noting Rashidian-Zadeh’s connections through community groups such as the Barrie Persian Association. “That’s the freshness that Samira brings, even though I’m behind the scenes.”
Rashidian-Zadeh says this year’s target—more than 800 boxes—is based on growing need across the region. All donations stay within Simcoe County and Simcoe–Grey.
How to Help
The deadline for donations is December 13, when the project will host a community drop-off event (details to be announced). Volunteers are also needed to inspect boxes to ensure they meet organizational standards before distribution.
“We need our amazing volunteers,” Rashidian-Zadeh said. “Boxes have to be 100% to the standard of the Shoebox Project for Women before we ship them.”
Local businesses can get involved by becoming drop-off locations—especially in Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Orillia, Bradford, and Essa, where more sites are still needed.
Decorative cardboard or plastic shoeboxes are welcome, but they must not be sealed so volunteers can inspect them. Donors may wrap the lid and base separately and are asked to avoid bows so boxes can be stacked.
A Fully Volunteer-Run Effort
The project remains entirely volunteer-run. Monetary donations are also accepted through the website and stay within the local chapter to support logistics.
“We understand every charity is having challenges with fundraising, but we’re definitely feeling the pinch as well,” Rashidi said. “Every little bit helps.”
More details, drop-off locations, and donation guidelines can be found at shoeboxproject.ca.
