This year, Sacred Hearts Academy’s Interact Club is gearing up for the holidays by giving back to the community through gifts donated to homeless women.

The Shoebox Project for Shelters collects and distributes gifts during the holiday season, but what separates it from other charities is that the gifts must be presented in a shoebox. They are also only given to the women in shelters.

“The holidays are said to be the roughest times for those in need,” Academy junior and club vice president Olivia Yoshida said.

“I hope that students at Sacred Hearts Academy can understand the importance of giving back to other women in times of crisis, especially since we are an all-girls school,” Yoshida said.

The Interact Club is set on providing quality goods for all women to enjoy in hand-decorated boxes. The club members believe helping the less fortunate is a year-round commitment, but this should especially be enforced during the holidays.

As an incentive for Interact Club members and others, those who donate goods towards the project will receive 15 hours of community service hours.

“We believe that through each shoebox, we will make women feel empowered, loved and special during the holiday season,” Yoshida said.