Guelph-Wellington

Welcome to Guelph-Wellington Basketeers!

For the past sixteen years, our hundreds of gracious supporters assisted women at risk during the holiday season by donating essential household items to assist them in their new beginnings. Imagine how hard it would be to leave most of your belongings behind. This is a kind gesture to make this transition a little easier. 

This 2026 season, I invite YOU to join our annual holiday tradition of donating essential household items for women transitioning from a home with abuse or violence to a new home of safety and security.

In our best efforts to align with the immediate needs Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis Centre (GWWIC), the donation of new and essential household items is our sole focus. Please read through our donation format below to ensure we collectively maximize our support and do not overlap with other local campaign/partnership donations.

You have four options for how you choose to donate household essential items to women in need (which may or may not involve a basket):

BEDDING OPTION:

• sheet sets, comforters, duvets, mattress protectors, blankets (twin, double) are priority
• bed pillows are not needed this season
• no basket required; items can be brought in separately 

KITCHEN SET OPTION:

• large sets of pots, non-stick frying pans, sets of dishes and glassware, food storage containers and garbage bins are needed
• please focus on cookware over bakeware
• no basket required; items can brought in separately

CLEANING SUPPLIES OPTION:

• stick vacuums, mops and buckets, brooms, and garbage bins and bags are needed
• no basket required; items can brought in separately

HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS BASKET OPTION:

• bathroom towel sets are identified as priority
• small to medium-sized items that fit into a basket are appreciated
• can choose to organize by theme (i.e. bathroom essentials)
• basket required; please attach an itemized list to the outside of your basket

Here are some suggested household essential items to add to your basket shopping list: 

With regards to ALL item donations, here are some general reminders and tips: 

•  Items should be new please 
•  No personal care items or toiletries please
•  No sized clothing please 
•  No food or beverages please 
•  No donation is too small – every household item is appreciated!

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You are cordially invited to deliver your item(s) and basket(s) in person at our annual basket drop-off event on Saturday, November 28! Please make time to come by with your family and friends, enjoy coffee and treats, and celebrate the outpouring of generosity and support of our Guelph-Wellington community members.

Drop-off Date:         Saturday, November 28, 2026

Time:                9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

Location:                    Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis Centre (38 Elizabeth Street, Guelph, N1E)

Contact:                      Register your item(s) or basket(s) below or email 

Of course, Basketeers continues to welcome DONATIONS. With your generosity, I will purchase gift cards and deliver them to GWWIC. Gift cards for Walmart Canada and Canadian Tire (as chosen by GWWIC) will provide women at risk with the opportunity to purchase exact household items they need to transition from shelter to new home. The deadline for monetary donation is November 10, 2026. 

*Please note Basketeers is not a registered charity. No tax receipt will be issued for donations.

Since the launch of our local chapter in 2009, Guelph and County of Wellington continue to come together as one generous and connected community! Over the past 16 years, the Guelph-Wellington Basketeers chapter has donated over 1,500 gift baskets, nearly 200 appliances and sets, and more than $47,500 in gift cards through our wonderful partners at GWWIC to help local women at risk. 

Thank you in advance for supporting the Guelph-Wellington Basketeers network this season! 

Sincerely, 

Laura Blinkhorn, Director, Guelph-Wellington Basketeers