When Laurel Freis noticed a women scuttling away from a gas station bathroom, her pockets unmistakably stuffed with toilet paper, the RE/MAX salesperson couldn’t dismiss what she just saw.
Laurel asked the cashier about the woman, feeling compelled to find out more about her situation. She found out this wasn’t a one-off situation; the woman is a frequent visitor to the store and will take all sorts of bathroom supplies.
“My wife came home and told me she couldn’t just let this go,” said Laurel’s husband and business partner, Jules. “This woman obviously had trouble fulfilling her basic needs, so with a heavy heart we decided to start a ‘Dignity Drive.’”
In about a month, The Freis Guys team – with support from the community and corporate sponsors – managed to fill 50 duffel bags with feminine hygiene products. Their plan was to distribute them to women living in some of the poorest parts of Winnipeg. The bags were filled with clothes, hair products, deodorant and other toiletries. Using the help of a local women’s centre, the team was able to identify where their donations would have the greatest impact.
“There were people who received these bags and almost cried,” Jules said. “It was very humbling. Some of the single moms are choosing whether to buy a present for their child at Christmas or looking after their own needs. I’m proud of our fellow Winnipeggers for stepping up to help these women get through what can be a financially difficult season, with dignity intact.”
