Donating an old bag filled with $20 worth of hygiene products could mean the world to women suffering domestic violence or living in a shelter this Christmas.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That’s the idea behind the “It’s in the Bag” campaign which takes place at the Isa Hotel this Sunday.
Organiser Mel Tribolet said there were many victims of domestic violence in the region and this event would help them in time for Christmas.
“You can either come to the event on the deck of the Isa on Sunday at 3pm or drop off your bag beforehand at LJ Hooker during business hours, who kindly offered to be a drop-off centre” she said.
“If anyone is bringing their kids we will be handing out balloons and bubbles to help entertain them.”
The campaign is organised under the auspices of www.sharethedignity.com.au which was founded in response to a Mia Freedman article published on her Mamamia website which exposed how many homeless women and women in domestic violence shelters in Australia had to face unthinkable indignities during their monthly period.
They launched the "It's in the Bag" Christmas campaign after they realised that while we seem to manage the needs of children at Christmas, the same can't always be said for those women who put the needs of others before their own.
This is the second year the event has been held in Mount Isa and with former organiser Sergeant Jakki Poustie no longer in town Ms Tribolet has picked up the slack in 2016.
She said local businesses Shut Up & Cut, Bellovista, Wizzamakids, Sole Struck and Molly's Baby Room have all donated vouchers to raffle off on Sunday.
“Anyone that donates will go into the draw to win one,” she said.
The North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Service will distribute donated bags to local shelters.
Bags can be filled with hygiene products, including roll-on deodorant, moisturising creams and face wipes.
Ms Tribolet said if you didn’t have a handbag, you can drop stuff off in a plastic bag.