Toronto Arrows Donation Drive for Optimism Place

The Toronto Arrows are pleased to announce that the club is running a donation drive for Optimism Place at the team’s upcoming home match at York Lions Stadium on Saturday, May 14.

What is Optimism Place?

Optimism Place Women’s Shelter and Support Services supports women alone or with children to live free of abuse by providing shelter and confidential, non-judgmental services. Since 1983, the Stratford, Ontario-based shelter has been committed to ending the cycle of abuse and violence by raising awareness through prevention, intervention, education and advocacy.

Optimism Place is an emergency shelter for women with or without children who are experiencing violence. Women who use the shelter do not need to pay rent and may stay with them for up to eight weeks. The organization provides basic needs such as food, toiletries, clothing, diapers, and baby formula free of charge.

Optimism Place also offers an array of services and supports to women in need. All of these services are available on an outreach basis, meaning you do not need to be living in-shelter to access their services. They are available to any woman in Perth County. Optimism Place’s staff work closely with women to ensure that they receive the support required to meet their needs.

Where shelter or supports are not available, Optimism Place will do its best to help women find the support that they need.

To learn more, please visit https://www.optimismplace.com/our-mission

 

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Optimism Place’s Connection to the Arrows

For seven years, Arrows hooker Andrew Quattrin has been helping run donation drives for Optimism Place, dating back to his time attending Wilfrid Laurier University. He has seen first-hand the impact that Optimism Place makes in its local community and beyond.

Quattrin’s teammates have embraced the connection that Q has forged with this outstanding Perth County-based organization, and have backed this donation drive as a player-led initiative.

Accepted Donations

Optimism Place is grateful to receive any donations, either monetary or in-kind. Here is a list of items that the organization frequently needs in shelter:

• Monetary donations or gift cards
• Toilet paper
• Paper towel
• Children’s school snacks
• Non-perishable food items͏

* please note: Optimism Place currently does not have space for menstrual hygiene products, and due to the pandemic they only accept new and unused products.

Where Can I Donate?

Donations can be dropped off at a booth located adjacent to Gate 1 at York Lions Stadium ahead of our match against the Dallas Jackals on Saturday, May 14.

We encourage all Arrows fans attending the match to donate what they can.

As a thank you on behalf of the club, all donors will receive a 10% off coupon that can be used at the in-stadium Toronto Arrows merchandise tent (valid only in-person on May 14).

We appreciate your support in helping to assist Optimism Place and the vital services it provides.