Keeping warm on Calgary’s streets in the winter is more than just about gloves, toques and socks.
It’s also about warming the heart.
In partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary, local social enterprise, Stresscase, is putting together 250 self-care Winter Warmth Kits to go out to the city’s homeless during this year’s Street Outreach Service campaign.
Along with specially-made personal care products from local makers, the Winter Warmth Kits include thermal hats, gloves and socks. But, they also include felted hearts made by Calgarians, that have a message of support attached to them.
“Through the generous donations from the local community, we curate much needed personal care items and messages of support that are included in the SOS Self-care Kits.” said Stresscase founder, Karen Pickles.
“The generosity of Calgarians will serve as a message to homeless individuals that they belong to a caring community.”
Calgarians are invited out to Mikey’s on 12 from 2 to 7 p.m. Feb. 2 to participate in a felted heart making workshop led by Wendy Lees.
The kits will be put together over the next two weeks and delivered out on Feb. 14. The launch will take place at the CMHA-Calgary SOS Headquarters: Crossroads Centre, 316 – 7 Avenue SE.
“We are so thankful to Karen and Stresscase for donating a number of Winter Warmth Kits to our Street Outreach program and clients,” said Amy Ball, Communications Lead at CMHA-Calgary.
“Our Street Outreach clients are homeless individuals often with a mental health or substance use concern who are trying to regain control of their lives. The Winter Warmth Kits will provide them with some comfort while doing so.”
Cash donations can be made to the Winter Warmth campaign here.
