The Annual Gift Basket Drive was pioneered back in 2000 by Shelley Porritt, an Etobicoke-based real estate broker.  At the time, she was volunteering at a local shelter and decided the women in residence could use at bit of a luxury during the holidays - something that was in very short supply. She gathered together some friends and family at her home and asked each to bring some new cosmetics, bath items and hair care products. By the end of the evening, 25 gift baskets were created and the ladies had unknowingly been a part of the inaugural event.  

Just prior to Christmas that year, Shelley made the delivery to the shelter and began an annual tradition that continues to grow. Those few dozen baskets have multiplied to a few thousand over the past decade, providing seasonal gifts to women in 30-40 shelters and organizations throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

As the need increases, so does our commitment to remain connected to the community. Our goal for 2011 is to create 2,500 gift baskets and make this holiday season a memorable one.