The Kelowna Women’s Shelter is hoping a new fundraising campaign that allows supporters to donate right from their smart phones by sending a text message will help top up the organization’s coffers over the holiday season and raise awareness about the shelter.

The campaign reminds people a donation of as little as $10 can help change a life. By simply texting the word SHELTER to the number 20222 and a $10 contribution will be added to their smart phone bill.

“For women who’ve fled an abusive home with their children, the Christmas season can be particularly difficult,” points out Kathleen Lemieux, Resource Development Coordinator at the Kelowna Women’s Shelter. “If this campaign makes it easier for people to support the valuable work the Shelter is doing, we can have a bigger impact on the lives of women and children in our community.”

This is the first time the Women’s Shelter has undertaken a texting-based fundraising campaign, which it hopes will grab the attention of a younger group of potential supporters.

“We believe this campaign may be just what we need to engage donors in the 18 to 30-year-old demographic,” says Lemieux. “By offering the opportunity to give a smaller amount of money in such a simple fashion, we can begin building community support in new ways.”

The campaign is slated to run through the end of the year, and will be promoted on radio and on the Shelter’s website, and Twitter and Facebook feeds.