The Shoebox Project for Shelters - Canada
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  • Locations
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Our Impact
    • Sponsors
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
  • Create a Virtual Shoebox
  • Volunteer
    • Start a Local Chapter
    • Students
  • Ways to give
    • Donate Funds
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Donate In-Kind
    • Host an Event
  • Locations

WHO WE ARE


The Origin of The Shoebox Project

The Shoebox Project for Women was founded in 2011, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada by four sisters-in-law: Jessica, Caroline, Vanessa and Katy Mulroney.

The family had noticed that there were many opportunities to provide gifts to children experiencing homelessness during the holiday season, but there were no such gift drives for their mothers. Wanting to make the holiday season a little brighter for some local women in their community,  they decided to ask friends and acquaintances to fill a Shoebox with gifts for the holidays – some little luxuries that would bring a smile to any woman's face . 
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That first holiday season, their goal was to collect 156 Shoeboxes; just enough to serve the women living at one Toronto family shelter. By word of mouth and the power of social media, they ended up receiving 400 Shoeboxes that year - enough gifts for women accessing  four local shelters. Donors also started spontaneously including notes of support and encouragement in their Shoeboxes, which were especially appreciated by their recipients. The Mulroney sisters quickly realized that their modest little "Shoebox Project" had legs, and a national movement to was officially born.
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Vanessa, Jessica, Caroline, and Katy Mulroney, 2019

Our Head Office Staff

Lesley Hendry, Executive Director
lesley@shoeboxproject.com

Cynthia Shantz, Volunteer Manager
cynthia@shoeboxproject.com

Michelle Davis, Executive Assistant
michelle@shoeboxproject.com

Our Board of Directors, 2019-2020

Ben Mulroney
Nicole Watts
Katherine Velan 
Andrew Lapham
James Albrecht
Krystal Koo
Jessica Mulroney
Allie Page
Ben Trister
Glenn Zujew
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Copyright © 2020 The Shoebox Project. Registered charity number #833095045RR0001.