My Name is Kate

9 Days Left in 2014 Shoebox Project in Vancouver

First of all, I can't believe I haven't blogged in a year. Yikes!

Second ... it's Shoebox Project for Shelters time again! This is the third year in Vancouver, and we've expanded:

• We added new drop-off spots, including Kitsilano, Olympic Village and another in East Van.
• In addition to the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre, we're working with shelters in North Vancouver and Surrey.
• We've set an aggressive goal of 750 boxes. Last year we collected just over 400 - can we do it? I think so!

One of the things that I have been touched by in particular this year is families that put boxes together and take the opportunity of collecting a shoebox to talk about charity and giving. Yoyomama.ca has a great post about sharing the experience with your kids.

And I received a lovely email from Christy, one of our donors, in which she shared her story:

I shopped with my girls yesterday and honestly it was one of the most meaningful experiences we have had. The conversations we had were so thoughtful and it almost made me cry watching a four year old and ten year old shop for items so carefully and seriously. These shoeboxes are so very special and we are so happy we found a way to help directly in our community.

I love this. I've written before about why this project is so dear and important to me, so I won't repeat that here. But I love that so many of our donors have turned this into a family experience. It actually doesn't take much time to put a box together, but by doing so, you have the opportunity to double your impact: transform the life of the woman who is receiving the box and create a positive and transformative memory for your family.

All of the details about creating a shoebox are on the Vancouver page on the main Shoebox Project website, but below are a few As to our most received Qs.

Frequently Asked Questions about Creating a Shoebox:

Wait ... what is the Shoebox Project for Shelters?
The Shoebox Project for Shelters was co-founded in Toronto in 2011 by four sisters-in-law, who asked their friends to fill shoeboxes with $50 worth of little luxuries, so they could deliver them to a local shelter. Today, the Shoebox Project operates in 30 communities across Canada and is still growing! Since inception, the Shoebox Project has delivered over 15,000 gifts to women in almost 200 shelters. The Shoebox Project is a registered charity, headquartered in Toronto.

What should I put in my shoebox?
Items that, in a time of budget constraint, could be considered a luxury or that someone wouldn't be able to splurge on. Something that YOU would like to receive if you were in a strange, unfamiliar environment at a difficult time in your life. Some ideas:

• Nice socks, gloves, scarves, or hat
• Compact (travel) umbrella
• Rain ponchos
• Gift cards in $10 or $20 (coffee shops, drug stores, movie theatre, grocery stores)
• Anything chocolate or candy
• Full bottles of personal care products - a nice lotion, body wash or scrub
• Hair stuff: brushes, hair ties, clips
• Simple jewelry: earrings or bracelet
• High-end razor (e.g. Venus)
• Face pads/cleansers
• An inspirational card or note in the box

IMPORTANT: Please make sure that the individual items are all packaged, sealed and unused! Also, this is a list tailored to requests from Vancouver shelters (e.g. high-end razors are OK) so please make sure you check your local page or ask your local coordinator if you have any questions!

How much should I spend?
We are asking that the value of the contents be around $50. If that amount isn't doable, consider going in with a friend on a box. Or, make a small box and bring it by one of the drop-off locales (see below). We can often supplement a box to bring it up to the $50 value.

$50 is a lot - I'm on a budget. Can I still participate?
YES! A lot of groups are putting together boxes. If you don't have $50, maybe you and 4 friends have $10 each? Rosemary has written a post about putting together a box as a group. And there are tips for hosting a Shoebox party on the website as well.

Does it have to be in a shoebox?
Nope, you can bring it by in a Shopper's Drug Mart bag. But if you do have a box, please use it. If you have two boxes, please bring the extra empty one with your full one. :)

Should I wrap my shoebox?
You can decorate it or wrap it, but it should not be wrapped shut (all the boxes are inspected by the shelters). You can wrap the lid separately if you have a two-piece shoebox. Those one-piece shoeboxes are tricky to wrap, but it can be done (I did about 50 of them last year). However, if you bring by your plain ol' box, we'll Christmas it up for you.

When and where can I drop off my shoebox?
In Vancouver, we have seven locations. Days & hours vary per location. You don't have to call prior to drop-off unless the location specifies - see below:

East Van: 2305 McLean Drive
Monday to Friday - 8:00am to 6:00pm
Saturday - 11:00am to 5:00pm
Kate at 778-997-5283

East Van: 4289 Elgin Street
Monday to Friday – 5:30PM to 8:00PM
Sat & Sun – 9:00AM to noon
Jackie at 604-874-5574

False Creek: 181 West 1st Avenue (Corner of West 1st Ave and Columbia in Olympic Village)
Wednesdays – 7PM to 10PM
Please email [email protected] to confirm prior to drop off.

Downtown: Accenture (leave box with reception), 15th floor, 401 West Georgia Street
Monday to Friday: 1:00PM to 4:30PM

Burnaby: Metrotower II, Suite 2100, 4720 Kingsway
Monday to Friday - 8:30AM to 4:00PM
Amy at 604-671-7881

West Vancouver: Re/Max Business Center, 1453 Bellevue Avenue
Monday to Friday - 9:00AM to 5:00PM

Kitsilano: 3078 W. 14th Ave.
7 days a week - 8:00AM to 8:00PM

What is the last day for drop-off in 2014?
Friday, December 5th is the last day in Vancouver. Other cities, check the Shoebox Locations page.

Is this just Vancouver?
Definitely not! There are over 2 dozen locations across Canada participating in the Shoebox for Shelters project! Check out the Shoebox Locations page.

What if I don't know what to put in a shoebox and just want to make a donation?
No problem! Shoebox Project for Shelters is a registered charity and uses CanadaHelps for online donations. When you donate, you can specify the community where you want your funds directed.

 

It's time for some #ShoeboxLove

The Shoebox Project for Shelters has officially started again for the 2013 holiday season and we're pleased to be a drop-off point again this year.

Last year I wrote about why this project is important to me so I won't repeat that here. But I'm inviting my network, again, as individuals or part of a group, to create one or more shoeboxes for women who are spending the holiday season in one of Vancouver's shelters.

Shelters provide emergency and transitional shelter and services to women who are homeless because they flee abuse or difficult living situations, they are poor or afflicted with mental illness or they are new Canadians who require assistance.

These shoeboxes brighten the holiday season and let the women know they are special and not forgotten. They are filled with items that a woman would enjoy but would not splurge on for herself in times of difficulty. It's a special gift, just for her, that hopefully will not only brighten her day, but it will also let her know that someone in her community is thinking about her, and remind her that she is not forgotten.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Creating a Shoebox:

What should I put in the shoebox?
Items that, in a time of budget constraint, could be considered a luxury or that someone wouldn't be able to splurge on. Something that YOU would like to receive if you were in a strange, unfamiliar environment at a difficult time in your life.  Some ideas:

• Body or hand lotions
• Makeup: mascara, lipstick and nail polish. (Please no concealers or foundations)
• Chocolates, cookies, candies (Nut-free products please)
• Mitts, hat, scarf
• Perfume
• Brush, comb
• Bus or subway tokens / phone card
• Gift certificates (McDonald’s, Tim Horton’s, Shoppers Drug Mart, Wal-Mart). Please include the value of the card (if possible, include the receipt)

IMPORTANT: Please do not include razors in your shoebox. Shoeboxes should contain packaged goods only. Please make sure that the individual items are all packaged, sealed and unused!

How much should I spend?
We are asking that the value of the contents be around $50. If that amount isn't doable, consider going in with a friend on a box. Or, make a small box and bring it by one of the drop-off locales (see below). We can often supplement a box to bring it up to the $50 value.

Does it have to be in a shoebox?
Nope, you can bring it by in a Shopper's Drug Mart bag. But if you do have a box, please use it. If you have two boxes, please bring the extra empty one with your full one. :) We ran a little tight on shoeboxes last year :)

Should I wrap my shoebox?
You can decorate it or wrap it, but it should not be wrapped shut (all the boxes are inspected by the shelters). You can wrap the lid separately if you have a two-piece shoebox. Those one-piece shoeboxes are tricky to wrap, but it can be done (I did about 50 of them last year). However, if you bring by your plain ol' box, we'll make it all Christmasy for you.

Can I include an inspirational message?
Yes! Feel free to include a poem, a card or an inspirational quote that could resonate with someone who is homeless this holiday season.

When and where can I drop off my shoebox?
In Vancouver, we have four five locations:

• Vancouver (East Van): 2305 McLean Drive (Monday to Friday 8:00am – 6:00pm, Saturday 11:00am – 5:00pm)
• Downtown: 100 - 1050 Homer Street (Monday to Friday 9:00am-5:00pm)
• West Vancouver: 303 - 545 Clyde Avenue ( Monday to Friday 11:00am – 4:00pm)
• Downtown: 1088 Richards Street (only available on select evenings and weekends). Please email to confirm drop off at this location.
• Burnaby: CH2M HILL Canada Limited, Metrotower II, Suite 2100, 4720 Kingsway, Burnaby V5H 4N2  (Monday to Friday 9:00am-4:00pm)

Drop-offs begin on Monday, November 18 and can be made through Friday, December 13 Wednesday, December 18, 2013.

Is this just Vancouver?
Definitely not! There are over 2 dozen locations across Canada participating in the Shoebox for Shelters project!

How do I share this with my friends on social media?
The Shoebox Project for Shelters is on:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheShoeboxProjectCanada
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/shoeboxcanada
• Pinterest: (this is a great board for both shoebox item inspiration as well as wrapping inspiration) http://www.pinterest.com/shoeboxp/shoebox-project-inspiration/

This year, we're using the hashtag #ShoeboxLove - share your photos of your shoebox or your shoe-box-making party!

Anything else I should know?
This time of year is insanely busy - and I know we're all pressed for time as well as funds. But this gesture of love and kindness to someone in our own community who we don't even know is something that truly embodies the spirit of the season. You can see what I put in my shoebox this year. I hope it inspires you to create your own!

Say hello to Vancouver's newest Little Free Library (Branch #6034)

Isn't she delightful?

I can't remember where I first heard about Little Free Libraries. But once I discovered them, I was immediately charmed and knew that I needed to become an LFL Steward. I somehow roped Rosemary into going along with my crazy scheme.

In fact, it was Rosemary who noticed a sign in our neighbourhood that advertised the Vancouver Foundation's Neighbourhood Small Grants program. Amazingly, we still had a little time before the deadline. We applied and were given a grant. Wohoo! Now, we are not handy, carpentry-lovin' ladies (surprising because we do like wearing flannel). And, we wanted our LFL to look good - not like blind sloths assembled it with their pointy toes. So we ordered one from the LFL folks in the US. And thanks to our Seattle friends Jen & Sara (because LFL doesn't ship their ready-made libraries to Canada) who took delivery of the giant box for us, we were able to get the super-cute Red London Phone Booth design.

We then enlisted our good friend, Darach, from FarmCity Food Garden Construction to help us (i.e. let us watch while he did all the work) install the post to support the library. Then our incredibly nice, friendly, adorable neighbour, Jesse, helped us (i.e. again, let us watch while he did all the work) attach the library to the pole the next day. (OMG, Jesse is the nicest young man ever - he does his mother proud).

We'd been saving up books for a while. We've held a few book swaps with friends plus recently done a cull of our own library, so we have about 4 boxes of books. I was actually worried that this wouldn't be enough for the short term. What if everyone just took books and no one donated books? Well this was an unfounded fear. Less than 24 hours after the initial stocking of our LFL's shelves, we had a few book donations. And today, less than a week after its opening, of the 2 dozen books on the shelves, only 2 of them are our original contributions. Plus, I've got another box inside with overflow. Amazing.

I put a Guest Book in the library - a tip I learned from another LFL Steward (this one in Manitoba). I'm so touched by the little notes people leave. These are a couple of my favourites.

We've even had media visit. Andrea from CBC Radio's Early Edition came by last Thursday (before we were even officially open) and interviewed us. That interview is *hopefully* being aired tomorrow (Thursday, July 18) and will be available on their webpage.

If you're not familiar with Little Free Libraries, the concept is straight-forward - a place where people in a community (whether you live, work, go to school or just pass through regularly) can share their favourite books. If you put a book in the library, you're lending it out into the world. Some will come back (we've already seen two come back and go out again - amazing!) but most won't. But you are sharing something you love with people around you. It's pretty profound.

I actually find the whole LFL movement pretty profound. People build these libraries for various reasons, but often they are a memorial to a loved one (human or animal). Below is a great video about LFLs in Seattle (Northern Voice goers will notice a familiar face - Nancy White talks about her LFL). It's short - about 4.5 minutes. Worth watching. There is a longer documentary about LFLs here - it's about 12 minutes. Also worth watching when you have the time. There is even an LFL Film Festival going on right now where other LFL Stewards have shared their stories.

Over the last week, as I've gone out in the morning to restock the shelves or when I'm out tending our boulevard garden, I've talked with several people who stopped to check out our little red library. Most are charmed and delighted; only two thought we were installing an analog phone. I love listening to the comments as they scan through the books "Oh, that looks good." or "I have a couple of books that would be PERFECT! I'll bring them by tomorrow." And just now, I ran into a mom with her two girls "My older one saw this yesterday and wanted to come back today to share a book of hers."

I don't want to be too sappy or mystical or weepy. But it is more than just a box of books. It connects people - across geography and culture and other barriers of our own crafting. I am humbled every time I go out and see a new note or a new book. Our Little Free Library is one of the best things I have ever done.

So, if you're in East Van, please stop by. And a special plea to people with kids - if you have even one or two books for kids (under 10) that you could donate, please leave a comment or send me a message via our Facebook page. I literally just finished telling a 5 year old girl that we would have books for her "soon". She was upset because there was a book for her teenage sister but not her. I'm going to try to hit a few yard sales or used book stores, but if you have any, please let me know and I will come get them.

And, if you're a LFL Steward in Canada, please leave a comment. I'm going to be pulling together a list of all the LFLs (official and unofficial) in Canada. LittleFreeLibrary.org has a map, but not an easy-to-scan list and not with all the social properties. Several of these libraries have great FB pages or other social sites. I want to pull them all together in one easy to scan & search location. Watch for details about "LFL Canucks" coming soon.

Introducing the Ben Franklin .. a delightful bourbon and cherry bitters cocktail

I don't think it's news to anyone (particularly my mother) that I like a good cocktail. I'm delighted by the ongoing resurgence in vintage cocktail culture. I regularly read cocktail recipe and booze history books (see my "Boozy" shelf over at Goodreads). One of my recent Boozeventures™ involved arranging for some artisan bitters to be delivered over Solstice by a bitters crafter on Vancouver Island.

I've been obsessed with bitters for the last 8 months or so. It all started w/ a book I received for my birthday last year, Bitters: A Spirited History of a Classic Cure-All (fyi .. affiliate link). Really interesting! Previously, if you said "bitters" I pictured that one crusty-rimmed bottle of Angostura bitters that has been in the fridge since 1976 that you get out once a year during the holiday season when someone says "Oooo .. we should make champagne cocktails" and you douse some very sad sugar cubes with said bitters and plop them in your glass of Baby Duck.

Not so.

Bitters have a long and illustrious history both in association with cocktails, but also simply as digestive aides. And of course in our era of Artisan Everything, there are now crazy awesome bitters like the Shanghai Rhubarb or Grapefruit & Hops bitters from Vancouver's Kale and Nori Culinary Arts. Even my brother, Drew, got into the act, bringing me a selection of Fee Brothers bitters for Solstice last year.

Bittered Sling from Kale and Nori

Which brings me to the Ben Franklin. You see, once you have all these bitters, you need to MAKE something with them. While Drew was here during the holidays, we scoured several cocktail books and experimented with a few recipes. But nothing really struck our fancy. So, we created our own. We had a lot of bourbon in the house wanted to use .. so we developed this, a variant of the traditional Manhattan.

4 parts Wild Turkey
1 part Lillet Blanc
1 part Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
1 tsp maple syrup
4 dashes cherry bitters

Shake with ice in a cocktail shaker
Strain and serve over ice with a mandarin orange twist

I'm 87% sure these are the right ratios. Drew and I did a LOT of testing. After conferring with him and checking my notes that I scribbled on the back of an envelope (Observation: my regular handwriting and my "slightly tipsy" handwriting are not all that different. Sigh.), it seems that these will work.

Drunken Scribbles

We then had the "what are we going to christen this delightful drink" convo. I wanted something French - to reference the Lillet Blanc - and also something Canadian - to reference the maple syrup as well as where the drink originated. Drew came up with "The Benjamin Franklin" (referencing the Wild Turkey - Franklin proposed that the official bird of the USA should be the turkey not the eagle - as well as a French connection (Franklin loved the French ladies)) - which I immediately dismissed (sibling rivalry?!). But by then Rosemary had grown tired of our drunken conversation and the sushi had arrived, so this lovely drink went temporarily nameless into the good night.

NOT the Ben Franklin, but another Manhattan. Photo Credit: Reese Lloyd

Flash forward 5 months. Blogging about bitters and cocktails is on my list, so I emailed Drew to confirm the ratios of this drink and said "So, are you OK with calling it the Ben Franklin? I really like that name, but I know you weren't thrilled with it."

It is a credit to Drew that he neither a) immediately phoned me and screamed "Are you KIDDING ME?" or b) unfriended me on Facebook. He just gently reminded me that the name was his idea and that he was OK with the shortened version. Though I'm pretty sure I heard him beating his head against the wall.

So .. there you have it. The Ben Franklin. Note to self: remember to take my own picture next time.

My next stop on my ongoing vintage cocktail odyssey is a trip to Vancouver's Modern Bartender. Have you been there? I haven't had a chance to go over yet, but they appear to be a paradise for boozehounds cocktail aficionados like myself. Can't wait!

Vancouver Snack Attack - Reviewing GetSnackBox.com

Back when I used to work for a software company and was more geek than marketer, 3:00PM was known as "Salty Snack Time" and every day there was a "Salty Snack Run". We were lucky because our office was located in a well-serviced area of Toronto and we had our choice of a few small cafés as well as a well-stocked large grocery store.

When I first heard of Food.ee's new service GetSnackBox.com, it brought back memories of those Salty Snack Runs (also, an immediate craving for salty snacks). I was super-excited when they asked me if I wanted to test drive a SnackBox. a) I LOVE getting things in the mail (remind me to tell you about my Quarterly.co subscription sometime) and b) I love snacks. Win/Win!

So Charlie over at Food.ee sent over a "Personal Size" box. One of the things that interested me about GetSnackBox.com is their commitment to healthy snacking (as much as not just having an apple can be healthy). They choose snacks that are gluten-free and natural (no artificial colours, preservatives or sweetners). I also like that they are trying to create a premium, curated product - choosing unique products from both small and large companies.

The "Personal" size snack box I received from GetSnackBox.com

 Snack boxes come in 3 size/serving/price configurations:

 

Note: Serving count is different than item count. A couple of my snack items were substantial enough to have more than one serving. My Personal box had a total of 11 items.

Now, I wanted to test all the snacks (SNACKS!), but I also wanted to get a little diversity of opinion in here (as well as show some snacking restraint). LintBucket Media is certainly a target audience, but I know several people who own/work for companies that are good target audience for the SnackBox. So, I convened an Expert Snacking Panel™ to try the snacks, comment on them and weigh in on the idea of the GetSnackBox service, etc.

My Expert Snacking Panel™ consisted of:

• me
• Rosemary Rowe - Vice-President, Content at LintBucket Media
• Christine Rondeau - Founder, BlueLimeMedia
• Elisa Aisenstat - Yoga Studio Owner
• Annemarie Tempelman-Kluit - Founder, yoyomama
• Portman Doe - Queer Housewife and snacker extraordinaire

 

A snacking sampler plate - contains a sample of everything I received in my Personal box except for the tea or the lollipops

 Comments about the snacks in the snack box:

• Overall people felt it was a good variety
• Good quality snacks, very "nutrient dense"
• Good for when you forget lunch
• Would like to be able to choose a "no sweets" box
• Would like to have other choices (vegetarian, halal, etc)

Now, the snacks change (at least partially) month to month. I got a heads-up from Charlie that future boxes will contain items like Mellifera Honey and Beta 5 Chocolates (yum!!).

Comments about the concept:

• Can picture having a basket of snacks like this on a board room table (impresses the clients)
• Good concept - depending on your snacking habits, especially for smaller offices
• Particularly good for people/offices who are not in an urban centre and don't have access to, say a Whole Foods
• Good for "younger" companies (ones who may expect to have their snacking needs accommodated as part of their employment benefits)
• Would be a great gift for a company launch or other milestone - a good office warming present
• Also a good gift for new moms or similar
• There is a great opportunity to incorporate coupons (i.e. like the Pirate's Booty? Get a 20% discount coupon to use in the next 7 days).

So .. are you intrigued? Craving snacks? Well, GetSnackBox has given me a code that you can use to get 50% off your first box. Ready?

mynameiskate

It expires on April 30, 2013. If you use it for the Personal size box, it applies only to the cost of the box NOT the cost of the shipping (that will still be $6.95); shipping is included in the Family and Bounty size boxes.

SnackBox is designed as a subscription service. When you sign up, your first box is sent immediately. And then they send out the monthly shipments across Canada between the 12th and 15th of each month thereafter. You don't have to commit for an extended period of time, though - just let them know before the end of any month if you want to cancel or change your subscription.

Oh, speaking of cost - I did a quick "reality check" re pricing. Most of the snacks this month were also available from SPUD (a local grocery delivery service). There were two exceptions so I tried to find the equivalent. If I purchased the items separately from SPUD, the cost would have been about $39. So, GetSnackBox is certainly not more expensive than buying them from a service like SPUD. Plus - something new each month!

An interesting note for Vancouver locals .. GetSnackBox.com is a product of Food.ee. Food.ee was created by Invoke Media - the smart folks who created HootSuite.

Many thanks to Charlie and the folks at GetSnackBox.com for sending me a box for review. And many thanks to my Expert Snacking Panel™ for their time and ideas!

Do you like your job? A lot of Canadians apparently don't!

FreshGigs.ca, an excellent Canadian marketing & media job site, just published the results of a recent survey of 5,000 Canadian professionals and how happy they are at their jobs (as well as how much coffee they drink). They've published all the results as a charming infographic. Given my working situation, I found these two stats the most relevant.

February Makes Me Wish for a Trip to the Spa - This Month's Addition to my Shoebox

So, it's now late February - I figured it was time to update my Shoebox for the month (if you're just joining us, this is the original post).

I was hoping to find some winter outer gear (hat, gloves, scarf, etc) on sale, but didn't locate anything. So, I went with a "spa" idea instead (who doesn't dream about going to the spa in dreary February - or maybe I'm projecting?). So - a nice mani-pedi kit in a re-sealable sleeve with nail brush, foot file, emery board, etc. On sale for $5.99.

I also received a bonus item this month - my friend, Elisa, received one of those cool, fold-away reusable totes from LUG in a conference swag bag. She has others, so she gave this one to me. Since it is unused and even still has the tags on, I'm adding it to my box. These fold-away totes are so handy - Rosemary and I each carry one (a different brand) in our purse or backpack - nice to have when you stop by a store or shop unexpectedly and don't want to carry home a couple of pounds of salmon in your hands :)

Remember, I'm tracking each month's shoebox item and cost. If you're following along and building a box, send me a pic and/or your ideas!

Following up on the Shoebox Project

Back in November I posted about The Shoebox Project for Shelters - a cross-Canada initiative to assemble and distribute shoeboxes that contain small luxuries to gift to women in shelters over the holidays. I was so pleased to be part of the Vancouver team. We collected and distributed 261 boxes to the Vancouver Rape Relief Centre, Ray Cam Community Centre and the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre in Vancouver, part of the 2700 that were collected and distributed across the country.

It was a truly inspiring project to be a part of. Aside from being able to brighten the holiday season for 261 women, I also got to meet some generous, kind-hearted people. Some of the folks who delivered boxes to our door:

• A super-charming older gentleman who came to the door and handed us a roll of wrapping paper and a shoebox in a shopping bag. Seeing that we were puzzled by the lightness of the shoebox, he rummaged around in the shopping bag and pulled out a crisp $50 bill that was safely stored in a sandwich bag. "I want to help, but I don't know what to buy for ladies."
• Two women from a five-person dentist office who delivered a pair of boxes plus a bag of extras. They decided to forgo their office's Secret Santa and instead create shoeboxes.
• A woman who delivered 20 boxes in her SUV. She, her four daughters and their husbands/boyfriends had made this a weekend project.
• A young man who seemed like he just finished his shift on a traffic construction site (he was wearing a lot of safety and reflective gear). He pulled the equivalent of the contents of a full shoebox from various pockets in his coat and vest. It was pretty spectacular.
• A very shy young woman accompanied by her brother (or possibly boyfriend?). He stood and waited on the sidewalk while she rang the bell. She didn't say anything .. but handed over a beautifully wrapped shoebox. She ducked her head and smiled when I said thank you - and looked back to the young man on the street. He gave her a big smile and two thumbs up. She smiled again, turned back to me, waved and hurried back to the fellow on the street.
• A woman and crazy-busy tech executive who wasn't able to drop off the boxes herself, but sent a courier with a couple of boxes and some extras at the end of the day on the last day we were collecting (this is a woman after my own heart).

These are just the few that stuck out. Everyone who dropped off a box was excited about the project and happy to be participating. Most people found out about us through the article that appeared in Vancouver 24 hours. So thank you, Cam!!

And thank you to my friends and colleagues who supported this project. Whether you assembled and gifted a box or spent an afternoon with us assembling and wrapping boxes (a lot of folks brought the contents sans shoebox), I appreciate all of you!! And a HUGE thank you to my wife, Rosemary. She went through every single box that we collected (over 100 at our location) and checked each item. She sorted and discarded items like used makeup brushes, 1/2 empty bottles of lotion and expired Cups of Soup (a few people used this as a "clean out under my bathroom sink opportunity"). But thanks to her, no woman in a shelter received a bag of partially used, schmutz-coated hotel shampoo samples.

Assembling a Shoebox for 2013
One of the comments that both I and another of the drop-off locations heard was that there is already a lot of time and money pressure on people during the holidays - so would it be possible to do this at a different time of year? I think this is a great point and here is my idea: let's build a shoebox over the course of the year. That way, the $50 outlay isn't all at once and hopefully you can incorporate purchasing that month's item into your regular shopping.

So, I'm going to do that. Over 2013, I'll assemble a shoebox .. taking into account that there are some things we don't want to buy too early (makeup, chocolate) because of potential expiry. I've started a summary page that includes what is going into my box as well as some alternative ideas for that month. Then each month, I'll post the new item that's going into my shoebox and link it on the summary page. Sound good?

Shoebox Item for January
Well, the first thing on the list was "get a shoebox" :) Trickier than you might think. But, now done. This month, the theme is dental care (start off the new year right - plus, toothpaste generally has a 2 year shelf life - the expiry date on this one is end of 2014). In the box this month: toothpaste, toothbrush and floss. Regular price would have been $13.50, but all these were on sale and came to only $6.00.

The Shoebox Project has launched in Vancouver! Help brighten the holidays for a woman in a Vancouver shelter.

I am living a blessed life. I am warm and cozy at night in a place I can call my own. I have an amazing wife and extended family. I do not experience the fear or reality of domestic violence. And I have a job that pays well and lets me afford little luxuries.

This was not always the case. I remember a time when I was thrilled to find an extra dime at the bottom of my purse which meant that I could afford bus fare. Or when I found $5 in a puddle next to the curb which meant that I could buy the jar of peanut butter I'd been craving. It was a time of survival, not one of luxury. And it was a mean existence. But I was lucky - I had friends and colleagues who made that time seem less dark and helped me through.

It's important that we have hope in our lives. And to know that someone, even a stranger, cares. Which is why I am so pleased to be a part of The Shoebox Project for Shelters' Vancouver launch (official letter).

The Shoebox Project for Shelters is a non-for-profit initiative that collects small gifts that are packaged in shoeboxes, and distributes them to women in shelters just before the holidays. These shelters provide emergency and transitional shelter and services to women who are homeless because they flee abuse or difficult living situations, they are poor or afflicted with mental illness or they are new Canadians who require assistance.

These shoeboxes brighten the holiday season and let the women know they are special and not forgotten. They are filled with items that a woman would enjoy but would not splurge on for herself in times of difficulty.

This is the second official year of The Shoebox Project in Montreal and Toronto. This year, it is launching in Halifax, London and Vancouver. In Vancouver, we are collecting shoeboxes for the Vancouver Rape Relief Centre and the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre.

OK, here's my ask …

The holidays are approaching and they bring with them a lot of pressures. Including the pressure to give to charitable organizations. I know that it's a tough economic time for people and budgets are tight. But please read this comment from the Program Supervisor at Street Haven Shelter in Toronto …

The women loved the boxes and all of the items in them, a few of the women were ecstatic as they had never received or owned a bottle of perfume, they loved the make-up, chocolates and body care products.  For a few of the women it was the first time they were celebrating the holidays and they were so emotional about how wonderful everything was and how grateful they are to organizations like yours.

Ladies ... imagine never having received a bottle of perfume. Or always having to choose peanut butter or other staples over hand lotion or lip balm. Or a little box of Lindor chocolates.

I would like to invite you … either alone or as part of a group (maybe your book club or your play date group or your yoga class - or even an activity with your kids) … to make a shoebox (or heck, more than one shoebox!). Our goal is 100 shoeboxes in Vancouver. I would like to think that my network alone could create those 100 shoeboxes. Is that expecting too much?

What should go in the box (approximately $50 in value):

• Body or hand lotions
• Makeup: mascara, lipstick and nail polish. (Please no concealers or foundations)
• Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
• Chocolates, cookies, candies
• Mitts, hat, scarf
• Perfume
• Brush, comb
• Bus or subway tokens / phone card
• Gift certificates (McDonald’s, Tim Horton’s, Shoppers Drug Mart, Wal-Mart, Cineplex). Please include the receipt!

One filled shoebox. For inspiration, see others at https://www.facebook.com/TheShoeboxProjectCanada

Important to know:

1. Value: Please keep the value of your shoebox contents to approximately $50. At this time, we will not be able to provide tax receipts for your donations.
2. Packaged Goods Only Please: Please make sure that the gifts are all packaged, sealed and unused!
3. Decoration: You may decorate your shoebox with a pretty holiday or Christmas bow but please do not wrap your shoebox as it must be opened for inspection before it can be distributed.
4. Drop off: You may bring your shoebox to our following drop off locations starting today and until Monday, December 17th:
   • Vancouver: 2305 McLean Drive (Mon to Fri: 8AM to 6PM; Sat: 11AM to 6PM)
   • Downtown: 1088 Richards Street (only available on select evenings and weekends). Please email to confirm drop-off prior to.

For more information:

• The Shoebox Project Website | Vancouver page
• The Shoebox Project Facebook | Twitter
• A great article about The Shoebox Project on the Huffington Post by one of the co-founders, Caroline Mulroney Lapham

Oh, and if you don't have a shoebox, don't worry. Just bring the items by in a bag .. we'll pack them into one or more shoeboxes for you.

Thank you for reading this and for your consideration. And on your next trip to Shopper's Drug Mart or London Drugs, maybe add a few more things to your basket. You'll be bringing a few moments of joy to a woman who may not be anticipating finding this time of year particularly joyful.

Oh ..  one more thing for my friends in PR. If you represent a company who could donate items to a few boxes (not all 100 - even 1/2 a dozen would be great), could you ask them? Small retailers or franchise owners? I'll gladly pick items up. Thanks!

Five Essentials for Your Next QR Code Campaign

We recently finished helping a client run a QR code promotion. It was the first QR code campaign I worked on directly; it was also the client's first.  The campaign lasted a week and was loosely modelled on a scavenger hunt.  We placed eleven QR codes across a variety of print and online placements, using five partners in addition to the client's own properties. Twice a day we released clues on the client's Facebook fan page as to the locations of the codes. And for every QR code you found, you gained an entry into a draw for a prize.

A few things came up during the campaign that I thought I would share here for when you're doing your next QR Code campaign. Either things we anticipated, didn't think would be a big deal and turned into a big deal - or things we didn't really anticipate and had a bit of a scramble about.

Kate's Five Things You Should Do for Your Next QR Code Campaign

1. Always have a non-smartphone option for entry.

There's a reason we pay lawyers a lot of money. My client's lawyers, in reviewing the contest guidelines, made sure we had a way to enter the contest if you didn't have a smart phone. I wasn't too concerned because a) who DOESN'T have a smart phone (ahem, my own arrogance and naiveté) and b) if for some reason you didn't have a smartphone, I expected people to just say "Hmm, guess I won't enter" (more personal arrogance and naiveté).

I was SHOCKED by the number of people who left angry, angry comments on the Facebook wall about having to have a smart phone to enter. Accusations of discrimination and threats to boycott were rife. It was epic. The interesting thing was we actually put everywhere we promoted the contest, a note to see the Rules & Regs for a way to enter if you didn't have a smart phone. People don't read. So the community manager patiently (and in a much more friendly tone than I would have mustered) answered each accusation with a link to the Rules & Regs. What was especially awesome is that other fans started answering as well - which rekindled my faith in the self-policing of online communities.

But the point is, if we hadn't had that option in the Rules & Regs, it would have been quite a different story. So make sure if you're using a non-ubiquitous technology as a contest entry, that you have a lower-tech, alternate way to enter. 

2. Test test test, especially with your client's boss's boss's phone configuration.

All the case studies about running any kind of QR Code campaign or promotion says to test, Test, TEST! Different hardware, different OS versions, different QR Code readers. We did this. I even had a testing matrix. It was a thing of beauty. But, we approached our testing by figuring out which phone/OS combinations were the most popular - both in Canada (using data from ComScore's MobiLens) as well as with the client's stakeholders by checking their web stats. Here's the overview data from ComScore: