THUNDER BAY — Faye Peterson House and the Beendigen women's shelter were presented with 126 baskets shortly before Christmas.
"I don't have words to express my gratitude and appreciation," said a recipient of a basketful of items collected by the Thunder Bay Basketeers for women who've had to flee domestic abuse.
The Basketeers are a non-profit organization founded in 2010, and work to support women escaping abusive environments in Thunder Bay.
Led by staff at Royal LePage Lannon Realty, the campaign raised over $30,000 in an annual drive to fill baskets with essential items including toiletries, clothing and household supplies.
In a letter posted to Facebook, the anonymous recipient and mother of a young child wrote, "I was able to get a place recently, and these items will help us tremendously."
Since 2010, the Basketeers have delivered more than 1,100 baskets for Thunder Bay-area women who have successfully completed a program that that enables them to avoid returning to their abusive partners.
Speaking for Faye Peterson House, Tasha Hyatt said "These baskets make a real difference in the lives of the women and children we serve."
The drive was coordinated by Christine Lannon, who led a team of volunteers including Wendy Siltamaki and her daughter-in-law Victoria Siltamaki.
Work on the 2022 campaign began in September.
After being founded in Toronto over 20 years ago, the Basketeers organization has expanded to eleven other chapters across Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick.
