Make a Child Smile
Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal is Back
By Jonathan Douglas, Christmas Shoebox Appeal Manager
(From the October - December 2021 issue of VOX)
Last year, generous people around Ireland donated online to give 44,749 gifts to needy children in Africa and Eastern Europe. After a year of disruption, Team Hope Shoebox checking centres around the country will be able to accept shoeboxes once more. The Team Hope team and volunteers are hoping thousands more children will benefit. #EveryBoxCounts
The Shoebox Appeal is back and it is easier than ever before. You can build a box at home or build a box online. We are very excited that we are able to re-open our checking centres and this means if you have a box saved or you have been collecting (or knitting) fillers, we will gladly accept them this year.
“The Christmas Shoebox appeal is about spreading joy to vulnerable children who may never have received a Christmas present before.”
The Christmas Shoebox appeal is about spreading joy to vulnerable children who may never have received a Christmas present before. And the impact of this simple gift often spreads far beyond the child to their family and their wider community.
God encourages us to show love and care to others. When you give a shoebox, it is a box of love that is coming as a result of God’s love to us. It is a way for us to honour Him and to put into action the love we have received. Many of these children are in orphanages or hospitals, they are living in extreme poverty or coping with disabilities. When a child receives a box, they know that someone cares.
The same communities that receive the shoeboxes are supported year round through Team Hope’s project partners with a range of sustainable development initiatives tackling poverty and hunger, providing clean water, better healthcare, education and child protection. Last year, these partners used donations to purchase supplies and make up the boxes. They discovered for themselves the amount of work that goes into creating these gifts and have asked us to express thanks to everyone who makes a shoebox and to our hundreds of volunteers working in checking centres across Ireland.
More Than A Shoebox
Ioan - Romania
Iaon is 14 years old and the oldest of five children. When his father left, Ioan felt responsible for the family. He dropped out of school to get a job. Recently his 13-year-old brother also left school because they couldn’t afford the school supplies. Their mum said this was the first Christmas that the children had received a present and it made her so happy. Each of the children received copy books and pens, which will help them to continue their education.
Andrada - Belarus
“I wanted to have shoes like those of a Barbie princess. I’ve only seen that kind of shoes on TV and I really wanted a pair. When I opened my present, inside were high-heeled shoes like the princesses wear. I feel like a princess now. Thank you so much.”
Robinho - Burundi
“When I received my Christmas Gift I cried because of the things I found in the box. There was a car, a robot, a hat, gloves, books, notebooks, sweets of many kinds and pens. I was asking myself, who is this angel that packed this box? It was more than I expected. Thank you!”
Christmas Shoebox Appeal 2021
We are looking forward to our annual Shoebox Week from 1 - 7 November as a time to encourage as many people as possible to pack a shoebox. And this week will culminate in Team Hope Sunday (7 November) when churches who want to get involved can encourage church members, Sunday School classes and youth groups to bring in their boxes.
Some churches prefer to get involved through their local schools or by supporting the online appeal. Others support the local checking centres with volunteers and there are currently vacancies for area coordinators in some counties.
There are many opportunities to fundraise for the appeal (see our website www.teamhope.ie.) Last year one 12-year-old boy asked for all his birthday presents to be donations for the shoebox. Another boy did a 20-hour readathon. Samantha in Donegal knitted facemasks and gave donations towards the appeal.
Over the last year, we’ve all been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many poorer countries are still struggling with the on-going impact of the virus and its knock-on effects. Our support is more important than ever. We need to let these children know that they haven’t been forgotten. Through that box we want children to experience the love of God. The Team Hope team has been kept busy continuing to support our partners on the ground as well as running the online appeal last year.
“We need to let these children know that they haven’t been forgotten.”
We’ve all missed family traditions over the last 18 months but now the wonderful tradition of wrapping and filling a shoebox together is back. We know that for some this has been a difficult year financially, so we’re encouraging people to think about teaming up with others. If you can’t afford to fill a box, why not work together with relatives, friends or neighbours?
Our new-look website also features loads of resources for you. There are colouring sheets to download as well as digital copies of the leaflet and poster. There are plenty of ideas for ways to fill your box and details of all the Drop Off points and checking centres nationwide.
The deadline for returning your filled shoebox is Monday 8 November. This year’s online appeal will continue until the 23 December so there is plenty of time to donate online or personalise your online box.
“It is incredible to have the opportunity to make a child smile, to make them happy and share the joy of Christmas that most of us get so accustomed to.”
Team Hope Ambassador, International Rugby Player Joshua van der Flier 
