Survivor gives back at Xmas

Almost 17 years ago, Eleanor walked out of an abusive relationship and into the South Okanagan Women in Need Society. 

"With a seven year old and an 11 year old, never been on my own, 43 years of age," Eleanor said. 

Now, she is a longtime volunteer with the society, aiming to give back some of what she experienced from their programming this holiday season through helping out with their annual Share the Spirit of Giving donation drive. 

On Thursday afternoon, she was busy organizing some of the donations of new, unwrapped gifts that have already come in, in a room with tables laden with goods. Marni Adams, development advisor with SOWINS, said those items are just the beginning. 

"It looks pretty bare right now, it won't look like that for long," Adams said. "We'll have lots of toys, lots of items for teens and mums, so we utilize those items for our client Christmas party."

The party, which takes place Dec. 17 this year, saw 160 women, youth and kids last year, all of whom received a gift. Santa handed out toys, and kids got to pick presents to put under the tree for their mothers. 

After the event, there will be goods left over, which is where Eleanor's job comes in. She is the manager of the "shop" program at SOWINS. 

"After the Christmas party, we have clients, some with children, that really haven't had a chance to either be adopted [by a sponsor] or they're in a difficult situation for the first time," Eleanor said. "So they get to come in and do a shop on their own for an hour. We'll help them with their children, with gifts, grocery cards, and just for them to fill in some of the wants, not necessarily the needs."

Eleanor remembers the first Christmas she was on her own after leaving her relationship. She had been receiving help from SOWINS all year, and had just gotten news of her first full-time job, but the Christmas season was daunting. 

"All the sudden, I get a knock at the door, and Christmas has arrived. A tree, food, gifts to put under our tree, and the brightest smile," Eleanor said, pausing a moment to catch her emotions. "I need to give it through to other people." 

Adams said this is a very difficult time for many of their clients, and said any and all donations are greatly appreciated. 

"This is allowing us to do what we do for all of these people in the community. We will touch hundreds of women, youth, men, children in the community in the next month," she said. "Thank you to everyone for the support you are giving us."

SOWINS is now accepting donations of unwrapped, new gifts at their office on Westminster Avenue, and more information on how to donate or sponsor a family this holiday season can be found here.