Make a Child Smile
Calling on Churches, friends and families to help with the Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal 2023
While it might seem like a long way off, at Team Hope, Christmas starts now! The 2023 Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal, launched on the 18 September, aims to deliver as many gift-filled shoeboxes as possible to children, for whom poverty is their every-day reality, and make smiles happen. And, they need your help!
Team Hope is calling on parents, children, teachers, churches, families and communities to build-a-box at home or online to help them reach their goal of 200,000 shoeboxes this year. Every shoebox equals a smile on a child’s face in 12 countries across Africa and Eastern Europe – that’s got to be a target worth achieving!
It has never been easier to build a shoebox. All you have to do is find an empty shoebox, wrap it in Christmas paper and fill it with gifts for a boy or girl aged between 2 and 14, give online or attach a €5 donation and bring it to a local drop off point before the deadline of Friday November 10th. Or you can build-a-box online by donating at www.teamhope.ie and one of Team Hope’s local partners will build a box on your behalf on-the-ground and make sure it goes where it’s needed most.
When building your shoebox, think about the 4 W's :
WRITE - something to write with. For example, colouring pencils, pens, copy books
WASH - something to wash with. For example, a bar of soap and a face cloth
WEAR - something to wear. For example, a hat & scarf, socks, gloves
WOW - something fun or a novelty. For example, a toy or treat
Jonathan Douglas, Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal Manager said “Every shoebox that is sent from families, schools and communities across Ireland brings such joy and happiness to the children we work with in countries in Africa and Eastern Europe. Not only do they receive brilliant, fun and practical gifts, often the only gifts they’ll get that year, but they also understand that a family somewhere in Ireland is thinking of them and wishing them well. That has a huge impact on those children and their families.”
Dr Malie Coyne, a Galway-based psychologist, who specialises in working with children and families, speaks about the benefits of the campaign, “The Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal brings a meaningful gift to the children who receive them, whilst also providing an incredible opportunity for family and friends back in Ireland to come together to create something for those less fortunate than them.
“Creating the shoeboxes is a highlight of the year for me and my daughters, as it feels good to give, it enriches our bond, and is lots of fun. This year, I encourage families and groups of friends to come together and create a few shoeboxes together. Set a date with your loved ones, assemble the shoeboxes, and make lasting memories together, and see just how much giving does for you”.
A special focus for the campaign is the Team Hope Shoebox Week which runs this year from November 4 – 10. To get involved you’ll find plenty of inspiration on gifts to include, or not, in your shoebox, how to donate and where to drop off your shoebox at www.teamhope.ie. For churches, please email info@teamhope.ie to get your copy of the Christmas Shoebox Appeal Church Resource Pack.
If finding an empty shoebox is proving tricky, Team Hope partner and drop off point Dealz will be selling flatpack shoeboxes in packs of three in their stores nationwide.
Follow Team Hope on Facebook at www.facebook.com/team.hope.ireland and Twitter @TeamHopeIreland and Instagram and TikTok @Teamhopeireland
Photo: Clare Rose, Aisling O’Connor with Beth Hogan and Ezra Mahon at the launch of the 2023 Christmas Shoebox Appeal.