United Way of Coweta & Fayette kicks off Shoebox Project on Valentine's Day

United Way Women's Legacy is holding its fourth annual Shoebox Project in Coweta and Fayette counties. Each year, individuals and companies donate shoeboxes filled with toiletries to be given to homeless women and children in our community. The drive officially kicks off today. Last year. more than 9,100 shoeboxes were collected and distributed to 61 homeless shelters across the 13-county region United Way serves.
The shoeboxes collected from United Way of Coweta & Fayette counties will be distributed to The Community Welcome House, One Roof Ministries, The Promise Place, Bel Air Family Center, Angel's House, Fayette Youth Protection Home, Coweta County DFACS, and Fayette County DFACS. Homeless women and children represent a growing population in the Atlanta region. Conservative estimates predict that women and children account for one-third of the homeless population. The Shoebox Project is one way in which the community can help meet the basic needs of homeless women and children. Since its inception in 2005, the Women's Legacy Shoebox Project has provided more than 25,000 shoeboxes for homeless women and children. "At the heart of the Shoebox Project is a desire to raise awareness about the alarming increase in homeless women in our community, while providing them with the most basic items to meet their needs--needs that all women can relate to and all women share," said Natalie Evans, director, United Way Women's Legacy. "The women of United Way Women's Legacy are committed to bettering the lives of all women and children throughout the metro area, providing resources and a voice to women unable to speak for themselves." Ways you can help * Fill a shoebox with a combination of new, unopened items from the list posted on unitedwayatlanta.org/womenslegacy. To allow for safety inspections, please make sure your box can be opened. * Drop off your shoebox at the United Way of Coweta & Fayette office (61 Hospital Rd. Newnan) or at Images by Rainy (155 McBride Road, Fayetteville) through March 20. Call 770-254-8497 for drop-off times. * Hold your own shoebox party, and invite friends and neighbors to decorate and fill shoeboxes together. For more information, contact United Way by dialing 2-1-1 from a landline or 404-614-1000. For additional information about the project, visit unitedwayatlanta.org/womenslegacy. Founded in 1999, United Way Women's Legacy affords female leadership donors the opportunity to unite their energies with other influential women. Women's Legacy mobilizes its members to impact greater change through philanthropy, leadership and advocacy to improve the lives of women and children across the 13-county metro area. All women contributing $1,000 to $9,999 to the local United Way are automatically members of Women's Legacy.

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