Sudbury resident Amanda White couldn't think of any better way to celebrate her birthday on Jan. 20 than by giving back to those in need.
Last year, White gathered her friends together and collected items for distribution at the Samaritan Centre. It was such as success, she wanted to do it again this year.
Her target: anyone who needs help, whether they are completely homeless, elderly persons whose pensions do not cover much else except rent or starving students.
“This year we had more bags, (48 to be exact, compared to 41 bags last year) and better bags and more people out to help hand out,” she said.
Almost every bag had a pair of warm socks and Tim Hortons gift cards, as well as water bottles, toothbrushes and toothpaste, hats, shampoo/conditioner and many other necessities that a lot of people take for granted, she said.
White and her crew went to the soup kitchen for 7 p.m., and were allowed to hand out their care packages in the lobby.
“Everyone was very polite and very thankful,” she said. “I was talking with a couple of the gentlemen and they gave me great tips for next year. They gave me another item that would be needed to add to the bag — bus passes, so they can try to attain employment — and another location to hand out at.
“I am very grateful for this advice and plan to put it into effect for next year. As with last year, I am completely overwhelmed with the amazing people in my life and in this community. I had such a high volume of donations from friends, friends of friends and even some businesses like the Apollo and Jacaranda Events ( who also donated last year ).”
White encouraged her friends to bring their children with them so they could see what a positive experience it could be.
“I had a lot of friends tell me they took their children to purchase items for the bags or to make some bags up themselves before delivering to me,” she said.
“I will be doing this every single birthday, and I hope to do a little more and make it a little bigger every year.”
Next year, White said she is aiming to fill 75 bags, if not more.
