Shopping spree a needed lift for homeless women

Shaunta Grimes

Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1999 | 10:02 a.m.

At Christmas everyone remembers the needy children, and many people even remember the homeless men. But it seems that single, homeless women tend to fall through the cracks, Ruth Bruland, director of MASH Village, says.

"People think of homeless people as men or families. They don't see the women," Bruland said.

Early this morning Bruland and other MASH Village workers not only remembered the single women, they also played a belated Santa for them.

The workers rented two buses and brought the 115 single women who live in the shelter's Women's Living Center to the Wal-Mart on Craig Road in North Las Vegas.

Each woman was given a $40 gift certificate to spend, money that came from $6,800 in donations Wal-Mart made to MASH Village this holiday season, Bruland said.

"Look at what they are buying. They have nothing, and when you give them $40 to spend, they buy such basic things like sanitary pads in the brand they like," Bruland said. "It breaks my heart."

The row of women waiting to check out their purchases snaked down the length of the massive store, and each cart was filled with items most women take for granted: a new bra, whitening toothpaste, hair dye, lipstick, shampoo, crossword puzzle books.

Sharon McGovern, 49, has lived at MASH Village for two years and is within five months of the end of her long-term stay. Since moving to MASH Village, McGovern has enrolled at the Community College of Southern Nevada and has earned 30 credits toward a culinary arts degree.

"MASH Village gives you a chance to get back on your feet, to correct your mistakes," McGovern said.

With her gift certificate, McGovern bought a daily planner.

R.J. Hanna, 40, has been at MASH Village for nine weeks and said the shelter is giving her a chance to recover from a hard time. With her gift certificate she bought two pairs of jeans and a bottle of cologne.

"It might not seem like much, but I really need jeans that fit," Hanna said.