WEYBURN – Envision Counselling is encouraging area residents to donate gift cards to enable their clients to have a good Christmas, as a number of them are facing crisis situations.
Next week is Giving Tuesday. “Giving Tuesday is an international day of giving,” said communications specialist Raven Daer. “This is a day to celebrate the communities in which we live by coming together and encouraging charitable giving.”
She added, “At Envision Counselling & Support Centre Inc., we recognize that many of our clients are currently struggling to make ends meet within our communities. The annual Gift Card Campaign is a truly incredible way to offer a helping hand.”
The overall goal of Envision’s campaign is to offer support and hope during the holidays to our clients who may be struggling to get what they need, whether it be food, warm clothes, gifts for the children, or even gas for the car. Gift cards help to fill the gaps that these families may experience during this colder holiday season.
Envision also uses the gift cards from various businesses to disburse to people who need emergency help, based on their situation. Clients may be going without items such as baby supplies or clothing if they flee a relationship without time to properly pack up. They might need gas cards, specifically to attend counselling sessions, when they are isolated in a rural location. And particularly this year, they may be unable to purchase gifts for the holidays.
“Imagine if every person who was able, donated just one gift card, whether it be gas or grocery,” said Raven. “We would be able to help an incredibly wide number of individuals and families throughout the holiday season, as well as ongoing throughout the year.”
By donating gift cards, Envision is able to provide support to as many clients in need as possible. This campaign gives individuals more choices and an added sense of empowerment, or autonomy, which is really important to the agency. The preferred stores are those with gas or grocery options, such as Walmart, Co-op, No Frills or Wholesale Club.
“When we are sitting with someone in our office who has just left an abusive relationship with nothing but the clothes they are wearing, it is incredibly powerful to be able to hand them a gift card to purchase the items they need for themselves and their children. Things like clothing, toiletries, food, diapers, etc. sometimes even gas cards to have the means to travel to where their supports are, where they can feel safe and supported,” said director of operations Laura Melle.
She also mentioned, “Whatever their situation or unique needs may be, being able to have these gift cards available to those we support is extremely impactful, to see their face lift with a little hope. Together, this is what our community provides.”
There are three ways to participate in the Gift Card Drive:
1. Gift cards can be dropped off at Envision Counselling offices in Estevan, Weyburn, or Carlyle. Please call ahead to make arrangements. Weyburn: 306-842-8821, Estevan: 306-637-4004, or Carlyle: 306-453-2405.
2. Put your donation of gift cards in the mail to: Envision Counselling and Support Centre Inc., Box 511, Estevan, Sask., S4A 2A5.
3. Make a monetary donation online.
Visit www.envisioncounsellingcentre.com. Choose Gift Card on the menu option, and Envision will purchase cards to distribute during the holidays.
All donations over $10 are able to receive a charitable receipt form.
“We are looking forward to another successful Gift Card Campaign with the incredible support of generous and dedicated individuals within our communities,” Daer said. “We truly couldn’t do it without you.”
