Shoebox gift appeal meeting to take place in Letterkenny

By Kate Heaney

THE wonderful work done by the Donegal Team Hope’s Christmas Shoebox appeal has benefited thousands of children who might not otherwise have received a Christmas present.

A meeting to launch the campaign, which has been running in Donegal for more than 30 years, will take place on Monday, September 23 in the Lecture Hall, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Main Street, Letterkenny at 7pm.

Theresa Wood, Christmas shoebox appeal officer from Team Hope in Dublin will be in attendance and everyone is welcome.

As the local team prepare to get things underway for Christmas 2024 local organiser Vanessa Borland spoke to the Donegal News about the success of the long-running shoebox collection undertaken by schools, sporting groups, individuals and families.

“The shoe boxes, which bring such delight to children in poor circumstances, are distributed in countries where the charity sees the greatest need with the help of charities on the ground operating in those countries.

“Since 2010 the Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal has delivered over 2.5 million shoebox gifts to vulnerable children across the world in Eastern Europe and Africa. Last year 176,615 shoeboxes were delivered to children across 12 Countries.

It’s easy to get involved.

Simply wrap an empty shoebox in bright paper (doesn’t have to be Christmas wrapping paper) making sure to wrap the box and lid separately, decide who your box is for, either a girl or boy age 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14, print off your label or use the one on your shoebox leaflet if you have one, stick it on the outside of the box and then fill with small gifts using the four ‘W’ as a guide – something to write with (pens/pencils, copy book, markers, etc), something to wash with (soap, hairbrush, facecloth etc), something to wear (socks, hat, scarf, underwear) and something to wow (cuddly toy, small car, bouncy ball, sunglasses, sweets etc).

Include €5.00 with your box to cover transportation costs and drop it off at your local drop off point,” Vanessa said.

She paid tribute to the many local schools who take part and have done for years. During her three plus decades working with the charity she visited Romania and saw first-hand the joy a shoebox gift and bring to a child.

“Everyone interested is invited to come along to the meeting where Theresa will advise on what can and cannot be put in the shoe boxes. Depending on what country they are going to can have different rules,” she added

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