This year CAPS Ottawa will be supporting the “Project Purse”, a charity campaign that was started in Ottawa in 2015 by Tanya O’Connor. She started ‘Project Purse’ to help homeless women across the city.

At CAPS Ottawa we want to collect 50 purses to donate to St. Joe’s Women’s Centre. Suggested items to include in your purse are: sanitary napkins and tampons, Granola bars, candy & gum, toothbrush and toothpaste, Kleenex purse pack, bottled water, socks, Band-Aids, deodorant, winter hat/mitts, comb/brush & hair elastics, towel & face cloth, bar of soap, shampoo & conditioner (sample sizes or full-sizes).

All donations need to be safe, sanitary, and DO NOT CONTAIN ALCOHOL! E.g. Mouthwash is a no-no.

Janet Steward, as the 2017 Ottawa President is not only encouraging everyone in her chapter (and beyond) to bring a purse, but she is filling five purses.

This initiative has spread out to Members’ families and even to the Montreal Chapter (Lorne Kelton). Students are even using it as a school project – it has really taken on a life of its own and it is looking like we will far exceed the goal of 50 purses.

Together we can make a difference!

Congratulations Ottawa Chapter on collaborating with the community and making an impact on women’s lives.

UPDATE: As of Nov 30, 2016, Ottawa is approaching 150 purses.

Janet Stewart picked-up purses this morning from Beyond Yoga and Blue Bamboo yoga studios. The trunk of her car and front passenger seat are filled to capacity. There is barely room for Janet to squeeze into the driver’s seat! Will deliver first load to St. Joe’s tomorrow and deliver second load on Dec. 12th. Now this is a fabulously supported community contribution. Well done Ottawa chapter!