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Gift Card Campaign

Wendy’s 14th Annual Gift Card Campaign

Hi, my name is Wendy Aujla! I am the founder of an annual gift card campaign that helps EMPOWER families to REBUILD their lives free from domestic abuse.

 

The campaign started in 2013 at my kitchen table over wine and cheese! I invited friends and family to drop off grocery store gift cards to support women and children fleeing abuse during the holidays.

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Between 2013 to 2025, a total of $42,778 has been raised thanks to the generous support from individual community members!

 

From 2013 to 2021, gift cards supported families accessing services at WIN House, a non-profit agency in Edmonton, Alberta, operating three shelters: WIN 1, WIN II, and Carol’s House. From 2022 to 2025, and now in 2026, the campaign has supported S.H.A.D.E. (Safe Housing and Directed Empowerment) Inc., a charity in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Charitable Registration # 829036177RR0001).

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2026 Gift Card Campaign Launch

Your contributions are especially meaningful. They will help clients facing domestic abuse by removing financial and transportation barriers. Gift cards allow immigrant and refugee women to make essential purchases like groceries (e.g., grocery stores such as No Frills, Giant Tiger, Superstore, Safeway, Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, FreshCo, or any other accessible and affordable place), baby formula, diapers, and even mattresses for a safe night’s sleep. When families are escaping abusive homes, they are often faced with financial and transportation barriers. Prepaid gas cards (e.g., Esso & Mobil eGift Cards) can help mothers drive their children to activities, court hearings, and social programs at SHADE.

  • You can donate:

    • Online, cheque, or cash

    • Gift cards

    • Unused gift cards

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I encourage you to share the gift card campaign details with your friends and family or host a gift card donation drive at your workplace. You can email me (Wendy) about the process of tracking generous supporters in your network.

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You may also wish to use social media to share the campaign with your networks. You can follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @waujla or Instagram @wendya12 for updates on the campaign (visit SHADE on Instagram). Help spread the message over social media by using the hashtags #GiftCards4SHADE and #SHADEforSurvivors.

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How Do I Donate?

Gift cards will support immigrant and refugee women and their children who have been impacted by domestic abuse.

 

You can donate in three ways towards the gift card campaign by the December 31, 2026 deadline:

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1. Donate Online

  • Click here to donate safely through CanadaHelps.

  • SHADE will purchase Gift Cards on your behalf and distribute them to immigrant women in need.

 

2. In Person

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3. Mail SHADE a Gift Card

  • Mail gift cards to SHADE! Include a note inside the envelope indicating Wendy’s 13th Annual Gift Card Campaign.

    • MAILING ADDRESS:

      • SHADE Winnipeg

      • PO BOX 49117 Garden City

      • Winnipeg, MB R2V 4G8

 

Tax receipts available for donations of $20 and higher.

  • Online donations through CanadaHelps will automatically generate a tax receipt and email it to you.

  • For in-person and mail donations of actual gift cards, please provide your full name, address, email/phone number, and receipt showing the cost. SHADE will then issue you a tax receipt in January 2027.

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Thank You For Your Support!

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