Faith&Friends
SOMEONE CARES
Doing the Math Linda Pearce with just some of the more than 6,015 baskets she has made over the past seven years. Each basket takes her an hour to assemble
Gifted With Love Grandmother’s baskets and treat bags have brought joy for 20 years. by Melissa Yue Wallace
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eatly organized in Linda Pearce’s basement in Washago, Ont., are more than 300 plastic totes filled with toys, gifts and supplies, and cabinets stuffed with chocolate and candy. Weeks before special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Easter and Christmas, she “shops” in her basement for goodies and creates gift baskets, stockings or gift bags for children in need, often customizing them based on age. “Linda’s Gifting Project” was born out of a desire to help women and children living in shelters or transitional housing, and has since
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expanded to any children in need. “Children are often left out in society, and are innocent victims of poverty and abuse,” says Linda. “I wanted to do something to brighten and cheer these children up.” Small Gifts, Big Joy Years ago, she noticed how people were putting large Christmas gifts and boxed items in donation bins. “I have a lot of grandchildren, and big presents are great, but the little things are what they will play with over and over again,” says Linda, a mother of four and grandmother of 12. “Kids like to get little things in
