Shoeboxes

[eretria]

This comes a bit late, but I think it's important enough to get the word out while there's still a chance to participate.
This is mainly for those on my flist from Germany.

Do you remember how wonderful it was as a child to get a package? A gift? Something unexpected?. Do you still enjoy receiving presents?

I know I do.

Now imagine you live in an area where life isn't as good as it is where we live. Imagine a Christmas / other religious, non-religious equivalent without presents. Especially when you're a child.
Sad thought, isn't it?

To stop this from happening, there's a campaign called "Gifts of hope", with its project "Christmas in a shoebox".

All you need to do is pack a shoebox wrapped in gift-wrapping paper, full of small gifts: Crayons, a stuffed toy, a scarf and gloves, maybe, a package of sweets, some chocolate. It's not a huge amount of money to spend and it'll make a child that would have had no chance to get a present very happy.

This year, the shoeboxes go out to Armenia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Croatia, Lithuania, Moldavia, Pakistan, Rumania, Serbia, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, Belarus, Westbank.
In each one of those countries, children are waiting and hoping for presents, even if their parents can't afford to give them any. Every child is waiting, everywhere. Just like we did when we were young.
So, it's a small thing to do.
The only downside - and I'm sorry to bring this up so late: The campaign finishes tomorrow. So, if you decide to pack a shoebox, you'd have to do it today and hand it in tomorrow (drop-off places for
shoeboxes are given in the website).

I have just finished packing our shoebox and it'll be dropped off this afternoon. Now, if you have the time, and just a little money ... think about it.

Comments

[dusky-paw.livejournal.com]

That's a lovely idea, and believe me I'd participate if I could only MOVE. I wrecked some nerve in my back and can't hardly even go to the bathroom ...
But there are other campaigns one can participate. Like, Karstadt does one where the underpriviledged kid can wish for something, write it down on a paper, stick that to a tree and you can come and look at all those wishes and maybe buy one ...

[quiller77.livejournal.com]

There is a version of that program here in Canada. We've taken part different years but missed it this year somehow. Maybe I'll look for their website and see if I can make a monetary donation to help with the shipping.

Thanks for the reminder, luv.

[egirl.livejournal.com]

I LOVE that idea...and I would totally do it if I were in Germany! :-P

However, they have similar things here in Australia in large department stores, where you take a tag off a tree and it gives the details of someone who might go without at Christmas, and then you put a gift, with the tag on it, back under the tree. I ALWAYS do that...I love giving presents - more so than receiving them, honestly! - and that just makes me feel so good to be able to do that for someone!

You're lovely for bringing this to peoples' attention! :-D

*hugs*



Emma.

[sleepwalker41.livejournal.com]

We're doing something similar at work for a children's center in the area. This reminds me I need to seriously get my crap together and bring some stuff/shoeboxes in. I'm still in Christmas-resistance mode and trying to avoid all music, reminders of how many days left, etc. etc. Becoming impossible. It still seems like heresy to me before Thanksgiving. But with the way time flies, you can't start buying/planning too soon.