MPPs put themselves in others’ shoes
Queen’s Park bickering ends as politicians come together to give to women’s shelters
They squabble often in the legislature but when it comes to holidayseason charity, MPPs from all three parties are on the same side.
For the past few years, Queen’s Park politicos have joined forces to fill what they call “shoeboxes for shelters,” giving victims of domestic violence toiletries and treats in what is a difficult season for them.
“We do get donations throughout the year but this, by far, is spectacular,” says Lisa Powell, acting director of Indigenous women’s shelter Anduhyaun Inc. as she overlooks a giant table in the boardroom of Dave Levac, Speaker of the legisla- ture. It is heaped with neatly wrapped shoeboxes containing everything from hand cream and deodorant to mitts and chocolates.
The effort is organized by the chairs of the women’s caucuses for the Liberals, Progressive Conservatives and NDP.
“It is amazing. We see the backand-forth (in the legislature), and for them to come collectively together to do this, it is phenomenal,” Powell adds. “They put all differences aside and they’re contributing to the lives of women and kids at a time when they’re vulnerable. It’s a sad time because they’re not with their families. They’re not with their friends.”
MPPs from each party pick a different GTA shelter to support with shoeboxes, which according to the official Toronto-based Shoebox Project for Shelters website should be valued at $50 apiece.
“Many of us do it in our home ridings, too,” says New Democrat MPP Peggy Sattler (London West), noting it’s easy to drop politics for a good cause.
“On issues of human rights and basic human dignity, there’s more that unites us than divides us.”
Shoeboxes from New Democrats this year went to the Red Door Fami- ly Shelter, while the Conservatives supported Hope 24/7 and the Liberals supplied Anduhyaun.
Because of the direct connections with the shelters, along with the helpful items in the shoeboxes, “people feel they can make a difference,” says deputy Progressive Conservative leader Sylvia Jones.
“It’s a reminder that not everyone gets to celebrate Christmas in the same way we do,” she adds, crediting Progressive Conservative MPP Laurie Scott (Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock) for organizing their party’s effort.
The shoebox charity was co-founded in 2011 by Caroline Mulroney, the daughter of former prime minister Brian Mulroney and recently nominated PC candidate for York-Simcoe.
The goal is to “enhance self-esteem and reduce feelings of isolation for women in crisis,” according to the website, which notes the charity has locations across Canada and the United States.
“The shoeboxes are filled with items that would help any woman feel special: gift cards, skin-care products, good-quality soaps and shampoos, makeup, chocolates and warm socks and mittens, to name a few suggested items,” the site says.
It’s not just the material goods making a difference — donors are asked to write a card with a message of support to the recipient, an important added touch.
Since 2011, the charity says it has collected 91,000 shoeboxes, valued at more than $4 million.
“We must help those who need it,” says Liberal women’s caucus chair and MPP Amrit Mangat (Mississauga—Brampton South). “Every year the demand is more.”