2016 Baskets of Love Extended Edition
w/ Stewart Moore
February 13, 2016 – OURM/CWF-COHCF
Thanks to the support of Team Stewart, we are able to extend our annual Baskets of Love giving event
to two additional homeless facilities in Central Florida. In 2015, we successfully donated an additional
140 baskets to the Orlando Union Rescue Mission & to the Center for Women & Families at the
Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. Residents at both facilities were overwhelmed by the
outpouring of love from the community. Without the support of Team Stewart, Space To Grow’s giving
event would never have been able to reach three facilities in one day.
About the facilities:
The Orlando Union Rescue Mission is one of Central Florida's oldest and largest homeless service
providers. The Mission provides for immediate physical needs -- including food, clothing and shelter -however, our programs are designed to lead the homeless to permanent independence built upon a
personal relationship with Christ. Since 1948, the Orlando Union Rescue Mission's purpose is to bring
the hungry, hurting and homeless to a new life, new goals and a new future in Christ.
Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, a private nonprofit organization, is the largest provider
of homeless services in Central Florida. Our mission is to transform the lives of homeless men, women
and children by providing crucial services to end their crisis of homelessness. The Coalition operates
two campuses, both located in downtown Orlando. The main campus includes the Center for Women
& Families (CWF) and the Men’s Service Center (MSC).
NEEDS LIST:
-
Approximately 150 baskets needed for both facilities
If sponsor dollars are received to cover the cost of the baskets and supplies, then the need
would be: a) volunteers to purchase the items; b) volunteers to sort the items and fill the
baskets and c) volunteers to help deliver baskets day of event.
EXPENSES: $ 100.00 (approximately)
Laundry Baskets:
Tissue/Cards/Bows:
$450.00
$100.00
LIST OF ITEMS FOR BASKETS: (cost is approximately $25-45 per basket depending on product)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bodywash, Shower Gel or Body Soap*
Shampoo and Conditioner* (15 oz bottles)
Shower sponge or washcloths*
Body Lotion (16 oz. bottle)
Feminine products – tampons, sanitary napkins, liners
Deodorant, Q-tips
Toothbrush & Toothpaste, Mouthwash*
Razor and shaving cream
Hand soap & sanitizer
*-children’s toiletries if applicable
Additional extra items that can be added to baskets: Perfume, Hair accessories, Compact mirror,
Diary/notepad and pen, Calendar/address book; ponchos. Gift cards (Coalition residents only): Walmart, Target,
Publix, or Payless. - For children: games, socks, underwear, books.
OPTIONAL: Food and Beverage: (in-kind donations)
Dessert items
Beverages
Paper Products –napkins, paper plates, cups (decorative is great)
Additional option is to provide toiletries for the men living in the Men’s Service Center at the
Coalition for the Homeless. We have 200 zip lock bags and just need the supplies. Wish list: deodorant,
tootbrush/toothpaste, shaving crème/razor, 2 in 1 shampoo and condition, bar soap.
Press Release
Space to Grow Announces Annual Baskets of Love Fundraiser
ORLANDO (January 6, 2016) - Space to Grow, an Orlando-based grassroots non-profit organization,
will host their 11th Annual Baskets of Love on February 13, 2016 to benefit the women and children at
the Women’s Residential & Counseling Center (WRCC), a transitional housing facility of the Coalition
for the Homeless of Central Florida.
The volunteer board members of Space to Grow created Baskets of Love in 2005 in order to provide
the residents at WRCC with “baskets” filled with essential toiletries, personal care and hygiene items
around Valentine’s Day. In addition, each resident receives laundry detergent, dryer sheets, and rolls
of quarters to help subsidize their laundry expenses. Each year, we deliver approximately 75 baskets
along with snacks and beverages. Space to Grow selected this time of year to take back the power of
Love for Valentine’s Day since over 75% of the residents at WRCC are victims of some type of abuse.
The program at WRCC is designed to provide the residents with some financial relief and emotional
support as they work towards self-sufficiency. Space to Grow board members invite family, friends,
co-workers and groups to “adopt” either a single woman or a family (woman and child(ren) for
Valentine’s Day and fill their personalized basket with a specific list of fundamental but vital items.
About Space to Grow
Space to Grow was formed in November 2005 when a group of friends decided to share their blessings
by giving back to the Orlando community. Nearly 10 years later, Space to Grow continues to serve the
community. Most of their initiatives have benefited the residents of the Coalition’s main campus and
their smaller facility, WRCC. Past events included fundraising activities, school supply and clothing
drives and volunteer initiatives.
The goal of the Space to Grow volunteer board is simple: share our blessings, serve others and support
the community. Space to Grow has successfully supported WRCC and its residents because of the
support of our network of friends, co-workers, family members and corporate partners.
For specific details on how you can participate or make a donation as an individual, group or
corporation, send an email to [email protected] or visit www.spacetogrow.org.
11th Annual Baskets of Love ~ February 2016
(Annual WRCC Valentine’s Day Party)
Options for team participation:
In-Kind Collection Drive:
Quarters - either $10 rolls of quarters or you can have a jar for people to put their extra change
and then the change is converted to rolls of quarters). We give families two rolls of quarters
and each single woman one roll of quarters to help offset their expenses. By receiving quarter
donations, we are sometimes able to provide a roll of quarters for the teens that receive baskets
as well.
Laundry Supplies – each family or single woman is given laundry detergent and dryer sheets
(specific sizes would be requested to maintain uniformity).
Toiletries – organize a collection drive for a specific item or a category of items, such as
children’s toiletries or feminine products for the teen girls.
Fundraising:
Organize a raffle drawing, for your company or group, to raise money to purchase
supplies for the event. Raffles with multiple prizes are good with tickets offered at $5, $10 or
$20 per ticket (the ticket price is determined by the value of the prize).
•
$1 shoe box raffles are a good option – a variety of small prizes are offered for a one dollar
raffle ticket. Donor gets to decide what they want to buy a ticket to win. Prizes are donated
by team members.
Bake Sale – form a committee where everyone donates baked goods (desserts) and you sell
those to your employees. Money raised goes toward purchase of supplies for BOL.
Sell tickets for the annual Baskets of Love raffle – Each year we host a raffle fundraiser to
underwrite the cost of Baskets of Love and to make a financial donation to WRCC. Tickets are
sold for prizes valued at over $300 up to $1200. Prizes for 2016 are being solicited – donations
are tax deductible so if you know of anyone that can donate a prize, please let us know. Ticket
prices depend on the value of the prize.
ANNUAL BASKETS OF LOVE NEEDS
EXPENSES: $ 2100.00 (approximately)
Laundry Detergent/Dryer Sheets:
Quarters:
Laundry Baskets:
Tissue/Cards/Bows:
$700.00
$900.00 ($10 rolls given to single women; $20 to families)
$350.00
$150.00
Food and Beverage: (in-kind donations)
Dessert items
Beverages
Paper Products –napkins, paper plates, cups (decorative is great)
LIST OF ITEMS FOR BASKETS:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bodywash, Shower Gel or Body Soap*
Shampoo and Conditioner* (15 oz bottles)
Shower sponge or washcloths*
Body Lotion (16 oz. bottle)
Feminine products – tampons, sanitary napkins, liners
Deodorant, Q-tips
Toothbrush & Toothpaste, Mouthwash*
Razor and shaving cream
Hand soap & sanitizer
*-children’s toiletries if applicable
Additional extra items that can be added to baskets: Perfume, Hair accessories, Compact mirror,
Diary/notepad and pen, Calendar/address book; ponchos or gift cards: Walmart, Target, Publix, or Payless. - For
children: games, socks, underwear, books.
In the past, funds raised by BOL events have allowed the facility to purchase needed supplies including the
following: lawn mower, blower, tile flooring, bunk beds, mattresses, cribs, dressers and office supplies. This year
they are in need of 5 drawer (upright) dressers and under-bed storage boxes! , hangers, pack n plays, infant
strollers, linen for cribs & pack n plays, cleaning supplies, brooms, and mops.
Thank you for supporting Baskets of Love and residents of WRCC on their journey to self-sufficiency
Space to Grow Board of Directors