By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter)

A Lethbridge woman is paying forward the generosity of others

Dec 16, 2018 | 1:48 PM

LETHBRIDGE — It all started with something a Lethbridge woman had seen on the internet a number of years ago and she was left thinking, “Why can’t I do that – why can’t I help the homeless, the needy and the forgotten.”

The first year she tried it, Patty Moyer collected about a dozen purses, filled them up on her own with small toiletry items, scarves and gloves.

“I went down town and I just handed them out to homeless ladies, and then it escalated from there.”

“All throughout the year, my daughter, Tanya Cameron, and I scour the second had stores – we purchase purses and backpacks that are in good condition – then around about September I start advertising on Facebook to get the word out and the donations start to pile in.”

“We collect them all ourselves – sometimes people delivery to us – but, we’ll go just about anywhere -Coalhurst, Coaldale, Picture Butte, wherever – and pickup the goodies, the trial size items that we fill the bags with.”

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“We put in trial sized shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, tooth brushes, hand lotion, body crème, and thing like socks, mittens and scarves.”

At the moment, Patty says they don’t need anymore purses but, they do need backpacks, and they don’t need toothpaste right now, as a dentist in town donated over 200 trial sizes of the product.

“We like to put into each bag, or backpack for the men, a pair of new socks, a toque, a pair of gloves and a scarf – the socks we prefer to be new – anything else can be used but must be in good condition. We are in desperate need of all men’s items.”

“We’re also doing the pregnancy care centre this year and we need brand new receiving blankets, crib blankets and small baby items – they all have to be new because of sensitivities.”

With a little prodding, Patty was willing to share what really prompted her to embark on her personal efforts and it had to do with much more than just the Christmas season.

“There is a reason – my family has gone through a lot of hard times – we weren’t very rich growing up and we had help when times were really, really bad. We had help from the Salvation Army and places like that, and this is my way of trying to paying It forward.”

If anyone would like to help Patty with donations you can get in touch with Patty Moyer or her daughter Tanya Cameron, by messaging them on Facebook.   You can also call Patty directly at 587-220-6410.

Needed items: Backpacks for  men, Winter Wear for men/women (scarves toques, hats mitts, gloves, new socks), Tooth Brushes, Floss, Disposable razors (men/women), Shave Cream (men/women), Deodorant (men/women), Small 1st Aid kits (the mini ones), Individual Pkgs Kleenex, Q-tips, Feminine care products.

For Palliative Care: Knitted slippers, Hot Water bottles with nice covers, bookmarks, Soft blankets, Body lotions, hand creams. Also some window crystals/stained glass would be nice.

For the Pregnancy Center: New Newborn gender-neutral receiving blankets, crib blankets, newborn diapers, baby wipes, Vaseline.