Thank you for supporting Optimism Place Women’s Shelter and Support Services this holiday season!


Below you will find a variety of ways to make the holiday season brighter for the women and children we support.

  • Donate Online

    CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE

    If you’d like to e-transfer: finance@optimismplace.com

    *if you’d like a tax receipt for your e-transfer, please write your address and email address in the message

  • Donate Gift Cards

    Gift cards from Walmart, Giant Tiger, or any grocery store in any amount are greatly appreciated!

    These cards allow for women to purchase exactly what they or their children need.

    Simply drop gift cards off at Optimism Place - 270 Freeland Dr. We are open 24 hours a day.

  • Donate Hygiene Items

    We appreciate new, full size hygiene items for women and children — such as shampoo, conditioner, razors, tampons, bar soap, body wash, liquid hand soap, tissues, paper towels, etc.

    Drop off hygiene items at Optimism Place - 270 Freeland Dr.

  • Donate Toys and Gifts

    We appreciate new toys for kids of all ages and new items for women to support our giveaway days and ensure women and children have a wonderful holiday season.

    CLICK HERE TO GET IN TOUCH

    If you’d like to drop off items you have purchased, please reach out to ashleigh@optimismplace.com to schedule a drop-off time.

  • Donate by Mail

    Want to send a donation by cheque? You can mail donations directly:

    Optimism Place, 270 Freeland Drive, Stratford, ON, N4Z 1G8

    *Be sure to include your full name, email address and mailing address if you would like a tax receipt for your donation.

Did you know we host giveaway days where the women and children engaged in Optimism Place programs can select gifts for their children and themselves in December. In 2023, thanks to our generous community, we were able to provide gifts to:

38 women, 61 children & 16 teens

GIVEAWAY DAYS

December 9 - 20

Each year, we provide gifts for women and children who have accessed our services. We are asking our community to drop off new, unopened and unwrapped toys, games, books, puzzles, pajamas, and gift items for women.

This year, there is a particular need for gifts for teens and toddlers. Teens are hard to buy for so we’ve added some teen gift ideas to spark some inspiration!

Gift ideas for women: pajamas, slippers, gift cards, makeup, relaxation items, robes, books and hygiene items

Check out our Amazon Holiday Gift List for more ideas or to purchase directly from amazon and have it shipped right to our door.

Teen Gift Ideas:

LED Strip Lights
Headphones/Earbuds
Hoodies
Sports Equipment (Soccer Balls, Basketballs)
Sensory Items (e.g., kinetic sand)
Makeup and Makeup Mirrors
Phone Charger Cords and Portable Batteries
Amazon Gift Cards


To make arrangements to drop off donation items, please contact Ashleigh

Ashleigh Jordan
Operations Coordinator, aka Holiday Cheer Coordinator!
ashleigh@optimismplace.com
519-271-5310 x131


 Holiday FAQs

  • Yes - we ask that you email before dropping off your donations. This helps us to properly thank you and we love to see you!
    Please email: ashleigh@optimismplace.com to set up a drop off time.

  • We’re happy to accept any new, unused holiday gifts for both children and their mothers. We provide gifts for children from babies to teenagers - your donations make this possible! See above for ideas of what we need

  • We kindly ask that you do not donate knitted hats, socks, or mitts; as well as non-perishable food items.

  • We only accept new and unused items.


Stratford & Perth County Basketeers

The Stratford and Perth County Basketeers are on a mission to support women as they transition from shelter life into new beginnings! Their initiative helps provide women with the essentials they need to start fresh, and you can help by creating a basket of new household and personal care items.


To register your basket, email: perthcountybasketeers@gmail.com