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April 16, 2026
They are the first ones to click on their dining room lights in the morning and the last ones standing when they climb up their stairs to bed at night. They don’t do it for a paycheck, a title, or a line on a resume - they do it because they believe in the power of communities coming together in action to support community members in the most powerful way possible - showing genuine kindnessIt's true, at The Shoebox Project for Women, we often talk about our goals and our milestones which are always important to our recipients of course! But today, we’re talking about the people who make those milestones possible. To our volunteers: this is for you.
When we look back at the past year, the numbers tell a story of incredible generosity. It's because of your dedication that:
Whether it’s coordinating fundraisers with local partners or spending evenings inspecting donations in your own homes, you continue to shine. We see the way you pivot when a plan changes and the way you turn a simple drop-off into a festive community event.
And a special thank you to your families, the partners and friends who live amongst the stacks of boxes while you’re out here making a difference. Your sacrifice is part of this story, too.
Sometimes, it’s hard to visualize the impact of a single Shoebox gift. But for the woman receiving it, it can be so much more than the physical gift. As one recipient noted, "you made me feel genuinely cared for and supported. The thought behind it meant more than the items themselves."
As we continue to receive messages from those you are connecting with, we want you to know the true value of what you're achieving at the local level.
"Dear Shoebox Volunteer, such beautiful items, so thoughtfully chosen. To think someone out there cared enough about a stranger to be so intentional, it really brought tears to my eyes. The best part was the gift you gave me included items that I could specifically use just for myself and as a Mom we always put ourselves last. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." -Chelsie/Ontario
Your compassion has touched the lives of tens of thousands of women who often feel forgotten and unseen by the world. You’ve given them a rare gift: the realization that they deserve care. Supported by a community that refuses to let them walk alone, women can find that spark of self-belief and confidence that can start to change everything.
"If you stripped away the office and the logo, you’d still have a mission, because our volunteers drive the mission," says Karen Paget, Manager of Volunteer Services. "They bring an energy and a perspective that keeps us grounded and reminds us why this was all started in the first place."
Whether you’ve been with us for 15 years or 15 days, please know this: You are the reason we can say 'Yes' when the community calls. You turn "we should do something" into "we did something." The value of your simple gestures of kindness is beyond measure.
To ALL of our volunteers: Thank you for being the heartbeat of The Shoebox Project. We can’t wait to see what we accomplish together in the coming year.
Inspired by the incredible Volunteers already involved? We’re always looking for more hands and hearts to join the team.
Click here to see all of our Local Chapter locations and their current opportunities
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“Two years ago, I met a woman working at a non-profit organization who had been homeless just a couple of years prior. She thanked me for a Shoebox she had received as a gift during that difficult time in her life, as it provided her with a moment of holiday joy. This exchange meant so much to me because it’s exactly what we hoped to accomplish when we started The Shoebox Project 10 years ago. The Shoebox Project started as a small idea, something that my family could do to help others. But it’s mission of connecting people to one another and bringing joy drew people in and led to the creation of a charity that provides gifts to women and girls in shelters — first across Canada, and now in other countries around the world. To this day, I still marvel about how such a simple idea grew into something I could never have dreamed of and one that has impacted so many in need.”
- Caroline Mulroney Lapham, Co-Founder
“Looking back after 10 years, I could have never dreamed of how the Shoebox Project would resonate around the world. The growth of our charity is due entirely to our incredible team of sponsors, coordinators and volunteers, without whom we would be exactly where we were in year one. When imagining Shoebox project ten years from now, I am torn. Ideally there would be no need for what we do. But until that day comes, we will be here, bringing a little bit of joy into the lives of those who deserve it most.”
- Jessica Mulroney, Co-Founder
"After our first year, I realized we had started something really special. We had reached out to a few friends and the response was overwhelming. It was still a small-scale operation but we were able to help people give love and necessities to women in need. There are so many women in shelters who have suffered immensely, and making someone feel loved and supported by their communities can have profound effects. I look forward to the next 10 years and expanding our mission!"
- Katy Mulroney, Co-Founder
“My fondest memory of us starting up The Shoebox Project is delivering boxes with my niece Thea directly to shelters. I loved the moments when we were all together, packing the boxes with our family & volunteers in Ben & Jessica’s garage. I also have always loved getting emails over the years from moms who enjoyed making these boxes with their children, and teaching them the importance of what they were doing. These notes & thoughts are special and show just how much love goes into each Shoebox. The grassroots nature of The Shoebox Project resonates with me most… How happy & special one of these boxes makes someone feel, perhaps when they need it most. Hopefully The Shoebox Project continues to grow without ever losing what makes it special. It’s global now, but it remains one person making an effort for someone they don’t know - Someone in need of the warmth and love that these Shoeboxes bring. We all know this is more important today than ever. The Shoebox Project is always top of mind. I enjoy connecting brands to the charity via our business Power of Privé, especially to raise funds and enhancing the profile of The Shoebox Project.”
- Vanessa Mulroney, Co-Founder
