Basketeers program to support women at risk in Stratford and area

A laundry basket full of household and personal-care items can help women transitioning from shelter to their new home.

The Stratford and Perth County Basketeers is in its first year running. For 24 years, Basketeers’ several chapters across Canada support women fleeing domestic violence and ready to start a new chapter with their children.

“We took over leadership of the Stratford and Perth County chapter of the program so we could give back to our community by helping to support at-risk women seeking their fresh start,” said Alyssa Corcoran and Cathy Corcoran, co-chairs of Stratford and Perth County Basketeers.

The basketeers fill laundry baskets full of items such as bedsheets, cutlery, soap, lotion and kitchen-cleaning products. The baskets are then dropped off at the Emily Murphy Centre and Optimism Place.

“We couldn't imagine having to make the difficult decision to flee your home and your beloved possessions with only the clothes on your back for the safety of yourself and your children,” Alyssa and Cathy Corcoran said. “That is the reality that many of the women who are supported by the Emily Murphy House and Optimism Place face,

“When women are ready to transition out of the shelter and into their own space, the baskets filled with personal care and household items are presented as a transitioning gift of hope and empowerment as they walk into the next chapter of their life.”

So far, Alyssa and Cathy Corcoran have been impressed by the generosity of Perth County.

“Across Perth County,” they said, “we have received basket registrations from businesses who are eagerly working with their team to curate baskets, walking and reading groups who are coming together to uplift women in the community and many individual donations as well.”

The Stratford and Perth County Basketeers will also be collecting monetary donations and gift cards for No Frills, Food Basics, Giant Tiger and Walmart. Monetary donations will be accepted until Nov. 18. As the Basketeers is not a registered charity, tax receipts cannot be issued.

Baskets and items can be dropped off at North Perth Community Hospice at 135 Main St. W. in Listowel, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 23 and Avondale United Church at 194 Avondale Ave. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 30.

More information can be found online by visiting basketeers.org/chapter/stratford-perth-county and www.facebook.com/PerthCountyBasketeers.