Anonymous in name, but not easily forgotten

Thank you “Anonymous!”

You know who you are. For whatever reason, you choose not to have your name published in the list of donors.

But your generosity to the Leader-Post Christmas Cheer Fund and the four women’s shelters the fund supports is quite visible.

Some of you have shared your stories with me. Others prefer to donate without explanation. All of you are helping give the gift of hope to women and their children fleeing domestic abuse.

Among you is a retired nurse, who recalled witnessing battered women arriving in the hospital emergency room. She said it broke her heart. And she found herself wondering where these women went when they left the hospital.

There were fewer options back then. Unlike today, there were no women’s shelters to provide safe, temporary housing for women and their children leaving abusive situations. Back then, she felt powerless to help. But now, through the Christmas Cheer Fund, she is able to help make a difference. She donated $10,000!

A teacher handed me $20 and said “I’m sorry it’s not more.” For the mother of two who had left an abusive relationship, $20 was a substantial amount of money.

Despite her own challenges and limited resources, she wanted to help others.

A retired police officer, who had seen more than his fair share of domestic violence, donated anonymously as well. But he called to say thank you for the Christmas Cheer Fund, praising it for not only raising funds, but also awareness.

Each and every donor — named or anonymous — is helping make a difference in the lives of women who need a hand up to help them get back on their feet. To all of you, thank you!

For those who want to donate items to the women’s shelters, please call the shelters to make arrangements. The phone numbers are listed on page 2 of the Regina phone book. Thank you for your generosity!

There are several ways to donate: Online by going to leaderpost. com/cheerfund

By dropping off a donation at the front reception desk at the LeaderPost, 1964 Park St., weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

By mailing a cheque or money order to The Leader-Post Christmas Cheer Fund, Box 1130, Regina, SK, S4P 3B4. Please make cheques payable to Leader-Post Foundation — Christmas Cheer. An official donation receipt from the foundation will be emailed or mailed to you by the beginning of February 2015.

By making a donation using a credit card. An ongoing ad in the Leader-Post provides details.

By phone at 306-781-5211, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If there is a special story behind your donation, please feel free to tell us about it.