A group of women from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Lichfield area got together to provide help for a women’s refuge. When women arrive at the refuge they often have no possessions apart from the clothes they are wearing. These women, who are generally fleeing abusive relationships, often have distressed and upset children with them.
- Lichfield women donate and make welcome packs for those in a local women's refuge
- Two women from Lichfield with the donated welcome boxes for a local women's refuge
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In order to help these needy women and children, it was decided that the group would create and donate some “welcome packs” to the refuge. For the women, these packs contained essential items such as soap, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, flannels, wash bags and tissues as well as sanitary items, socks and hair accessories. These items were put into decorated shoe boxes. For the children, their “welcome packs” contained colouring books and crayons, sweets and toys. The women’s group from the Church also made blankets, either knitted or sewn, to add to the boxes in the hope that they would bring some comfort to the children who find themselves in such difficult circumstances.
A total of 133 boxes were decorated and filled. When there were no boxes left, the remaining items were placed in four large carrier bags and distributed to other worthy causes.
Providing compassionate service in this way proved to be uplifting and inspiring for all those who were involved. The lives of the women and children in the women’s refuge will be just a little easier due to the kindness and generosity of the Church volunteers.