CENTRE WELLINGTON – Rita Anand moved from Chicago to Fergus 13 years ago.
Over the last two years she has been volunteering with Elora House, which provides safe housing and support for females who are victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
With a career in graphic design, Anand started a note card campaign through her neighbourhood via email to raise money for Elora House.
“I thought I would put my work to use and I started making note cards, and all different types,” Anand explained.
She is currently making cards that fit into the holiday season, but does other designs as well.
“My entire cost and everything I put into it, except for my time for graphic design, is $4,” she added.
The campaign started by sending out emails to her neighbours asking for donations of $4 which covers the card, but also goes toward Elora House.
Retailers such as The Red Door, Jammed Lovely, Junie Moon, Remedy RX in Fergus, Blackbird Elora and Amber Insurance in Chicago have all stepped up to help Anand with card sales, as well as her latest adventure in candles.
The graphic designer planned to give a cheque to Elora House on Dec. 31 with the total she has raised with her card and candle sales. Anand is trying to meet her goal of $4,000 and she is getting close, with $3,200 raised as of Dec. 21.
However, Anand told the Advertiser she is happy with whatever is raised for the campaign.
“For me, it’s really just about the girls,” she said.
“It’s about, can we get them to the next step? Can we get them to see the value in them[selves] – which is so incredible? And this is why I’ve started this and people have been very generous.”
Anyone interested in making a donation to Anand’s fundraising efforts, can do so by e-transfer to ritaanand.friend@gmail.com. Any questions can be sent to the same email. For more information visit elorahouse.com.
