2009 Christmas Shoebox charities

3_cheeky_princesses

Rummer wrote: »

Ah is that the one through boots?

Thats the one :j

vikki_louise wrote: »

This Morning stopped their appeal last year (and maybe the year before?), I dont know if they are going to do it this year, i think they have changed to just asking for a donation over the phone

It must of been the year before last year as i didnt donate last year but did the year before that iykwim. Thats a shame i will keep a eye out incase they do again this year.

Ianna

Here's last years thread incase anyone needs any tips.

I don't do boxes for operation christmas child because I've got problems with how they spend their money and concerns about racist comments made by leaders in the organisation (there's a brief overview here)

Instead I do boxes for Link Romania. Their boxes are for families, not just children, so I try and do a mix of crucial items like soap, sanitary products etc and some fun items like games. It's a great cause and I have a great time doing it!:j

I'm stocking up now because a lot of shops have really good 3 for 2 offers. I keep an eye on the grabbit, freebies and shop but don't drop board and have got some great stuff for the boxes through that.

You can fill boxes really, really cheaply and it's a great family activity to do. I'd recommend it to anyone!

fengirl_2

If you are in the Coventry area, Carriers of Hope, which supports asylum seekers and refugees in the city would be grateful for all sorts of personal items for both adults and children - everything from pencils to shampoo and top-up cards.

Claire_Bear

I've never thought of doing something like this for elderly people, are there any organised charities who do things like shoeboxes, or would it be OK to just take some things to a local care home? What sort of gifts do people give? I'd do the same as you princesswoo but we're just moved to the area so I don't know our neighbours yet. I'll definately do a shoebox this year but I'd like to find out more about giving to the elderly as they seem to get forgotten?

ragz_2

Ianna wrote: »

Here's last years thread incase anyone needs any tips.

I don't do boxes for operation christmas child because I've got problems with how they spend their money and concerns about racist comments made by leaders in the organisation (there's a brief overview here)

Instead I do boxes for Link Romania. Their boxes are for families, not just children, so I try and do a mix of crucial items like soap, sanitary products etc and some fun items like games. It's a great cause and I have a great time doing it!:j

Thanks for the link to an alternative, I too am dubious about OperationChristmasCHild and that's what put me off doing one last year.

Claire_Bear

With the boxes for the soldiers, are there any drop off points or do you have to send them through the mail? Because it says they have to be unsealed so they can check the contents and I'd be scared of things dropping out?

thevicster

Claire_Bear wrote: »

With the boxes for the soldiers, are there any drop off points or do you have to send them through the mail? Because it says they have to be unsealed so they can check the contents and I'd be scared of things dropping out?

I think you can do either if there's a collection point local to you. If you were sending through the post you could always wrap with a couple of elastic bands and parcel up in brown paper?

Claire_Bear

Has anyone got a list of the collection points from last year? I think I'd quite like to do the ones for troops this year, I've sent them off for children the past few times so want to do something different. It'll also be a challenge finding something for older people as kids are so easy to buy for! Has anyone who has done them before got any tips as to what I could include?

NumboJumbo

Has anyone tried out this organisation, which uses used backpacks instead of shoeboxes:
http://www.marysmeals.org/backpacks.html

luxor4t

Start looking for the actual shoebox/es now as shoe shops are innundated by requests.

I now automatically keep all shoe boxes I come across through the year & pass on spares as we do the Roumania appeal through chapel.

My 5 packed up boxes are now ready to wrap - I collect the fillings through the year!