The annual Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal launched this week, and aims to deliver as many gift-filled shoeboxes as possible to children, for whom poverty is their every-day reality.
Team Hope hopes to bring some festive cheer to some 200,000 children – that’s 200,000 smiles on children’s faces in 13 countries across Africa and Eastern Europe.
Team Hope is calling on parents, children, teachers, families and communities in North Dublin to build-a-box at home or online to help them reach their goal this year.
Local North Dublin Team Hope co-ordinator Nathalie Hand said, “For the children who receive these shoeboxes at Christmas, it’s wonderful for them to know that people across Ireland are thinking of them and have taken time out to send joy and hope to them.
“We’ve always had such brilliant support from schools, families and communities from all over Dublin and we’re hoping to see the same fantastic response to the Shoebox Appeal again in 2022”.
Nathalie added: “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 two and 14, give online or attach a €4 donation and bring it to a local drop off point before the deadline of Tuesday, November 8 next.
“Or you can build-a-box online by donating at www.teamhope.ie. 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 considering the best items to gift, think of the 4W’s:
Wear – Gloves, Hat, Scarf, Socks, Top, Underwear
Wash – Comb, Soap, Sponge, Toothbrush & Toothpaste, Washcloth
Write – Colouring Pencils, Notepad, Writing accessories
Wow – Think of items like musical instruments, puzzles, a ball, a skipping rope, a soft toy or a toy car
There are so many benefits to the Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal – not only for the end recipient but it also benefits the child who donates.
Dr Malie Coyne, a clinical psychologist who specialises in working with children and families said, “Study after study has shown that volunteering improves our mental health. Being kind and showing altruism for others boosts serotonin, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of satisfaction and well-being, a phenomenon also known as a “helper’s high”. It reduces stress, strengthens the immune system and increases happiness.
“In a world which can often feel topsy-turvy for children, involving your child in creating a shoebox empowers them to make a real and tangible difference in another child’s life.”
Team Hope Shoebox Week runs this year from October 31 to November 6 and 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. Your shoebox can be dropped off at any Dealz store in Dublin. For teachers, there are also lots of class lessons and teaching resources available online.
Follow Team Hope on Facebook at www.facebook.com/team.hope.ireland and Twitter @TeamHopeIreland and Instagram @TeamHopeIreland #MakeAChildSmile #EveryShoeboxCounts #ChristmasShoeboxAppeal
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