Saint John’s Code Red Kicks-Off Christmas ‘Tampon Drive’
Code Red, a Saint John non-profit group that collects feminine hygiene products for disadvantaged women is once again looking for community donations this holiday season.
The organization got its start last year when Pamela Wheaton, owner of Saint John’s Heartbreak Boutique, saw an online documentary by Bustle about the struggles homeless women face trying to secure feminine hygiene products. As a result, Wheaton teamed up with other members of the community to collect donations, thus the beginning of Code Red.
Watch the Bustle documentary below:
Source: How Do Homeless Women Cope With Their Periods? | NSFWomen by bustle on Rumble
Last year, the group received over 31,023 donations for their Christmas drive. Cathy Boyce, one of Code Red’s directors, said that was much more than they expected.
“Initially, we had intended to distribute 50 products per month amongst all of our distribution centers,” said Boyce, “and we actually ended up increasing that to 200 over the course the year just based on the number of products that we have received from the community, as well as the need from our community partners.”
RELATED: Saint John’s Heartbreak Boutique Calls Code Red
They organize donated items into individual “packs” which include various product pads, tampons and hygienic wipes. The packs are then delivered to community organizations Code Red partners with to give to women in need. The group takes donations throughout the rest of the year, said Boyce, but most of the products they need come from their Christmas drive.
“The bulk of the product came during our Christmas campaign,” she said. “This campaign really kept us going. It’s really important to our operation.”
Some of the local organizations Code Red partners with include Outflow, Port City Pharmacy, Romero House and AIDS Saint John.
“Having supplies available for women, not having to hand them out in limited amounts, makes us feel better and the women feel better,” said Diane Kerns, volunteer coordinator for AIDS Saint John, in a media statement.
“These are some of the basic necessities that people living on the street or living in poverty must search for over and over again. Their basic financial assistance barely covers rent and does not allow for such luxuries.”
This year’s campaign runs from November 20 through Dec.4. Donations can be dropped off at Heartbreak Boutique at 94 Germain Street in Saint John. Those making donations during that time will be eligible to win a gift card from the shop.
This year they are specifically looking for pads, tampons, individually packaged hygiene wipes and sandwich-sized ziplock bags that have strong zippers. Since Code Red is now an official non-profit, they can also accept cash donations as well.
“As one of our partners had said, it is simply dignity restored. The dignity of somebody who is already in need in their life,” said Kelly Morrell, another Code Red director.
“To have to scrounge pennies and do whatever you need to get these really necessary products is really disheartening. To not have to worry about that and to just know that you can get these products for free at these locations I think is just huge for somebody’s dignity.”