SOWINS needs more help than ever to ensure women in the South Okanagan can escape domestic abuse situations

Photo: Contributed

It has been an abnormally busy year for the South Okanagan Women in Need Society, which is why their annual holiday fundraiser is more important than ever. 

"While COVID has brought many families closer together, for others, women and children have found themselves trapped in homes where violence and abuse has escalated," Share the Spirit campaign chair Stefanie Gale said.

"We are noticing an increase of clients with young children – in part because women are more often laid off or working in businesses that have shut down."

A major day in their Share the Spirit campaign is now just a few days away, in partnership with Time Winery. 

On Saturday, Dec. 5, join SOWINS at Time for "Time to Give" to help them provide over 150 holiday hampers to families in the community. Drop off unwrapped gifts and cash to the winery at 361 Martin Street between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. and enjoy complimentary tastings and door prizes.

Gifts can include anything from kitchen essentials, bed linens, and grocery gift cards, to pyjamas, headphones, games, and clothing of all kinds. Donors are encouraged to purchase gifts from local companies and follow the gift guidelines on sowins.com.

Ten per cent of all sales at Time that day will also go toward SOWINS. 

Those unable to attend the event can drop off donations at Time or SOWINS during business hours. The hampers will go to the many families who utilize SOWINS' help for various reasons, many of whom can't afford to provide the Christmas for their kids that they would like to. 

Businesses are also able to get involved, with both Share the Spirit and SOWINS all year long. 

Total Restoration recently came forward with a pledge to sponsor six women for the year, a $1,500 donation. 

For more information on SOWINS and how to donate to this campaign, sponsor a women or family or donate in general, click here.